Kuala Lampur, Aug. 10 -- Pakatan Harapan (PH) is facing one of those moments when politics can create an optical illusion.

A series of electoral difficulties can appear to be a national collapse. Political opponents naturally want PH to believe precisely that.

PH must not.

Malaysia is not merely Peninsular Malaysia. It is a federation whose political stability ultimately depends on three major geographical components: the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.

As long as Sabah and Sarawak remain resistant to the politics of excessive religious and ethnic polarisation, the political future of Malaysia remains open.

This is why PH must not interpret its present difficulties as destiny.

Elections are snapshots. Political trends can reverse. Coa...