The importance of Malaysian politics came to the forefront when the Mahathir Mohamad-led Harapan government ended in February 2020. At the GE14 in 2018, Harapan won over Barisan Nasional, ending its 61-year rule. Mahathir came back as Prime Minister under the agreement that Anwar Ibrahim would take over later.
In late February 2020, Mahathir quit, hoping to return as Prime Minister, but it didn’t happen. The Harapan government crumbled, leading to a messy leadership change. This move led to an unexpected government, the PN, which many saw as unfair.
Key Takeaways
- The Pakatan Harapan government’s collapse in 2020 highlighted the complexities and dynamics of Malaysian politics.
- The formation of the Perikatan Nasional government through defections and coalitions exposed the absence of Malay unity and intense party factionalism.
- The transition of power and leadership in Malaysian politics has been repeatedly subverted, undermining the country’s democratic processes.
- The Malaysian government and political system have faced challenges in maintaining popular support and crafting a broadly supported settlement.
- The current political landscape in Malaysia is in a state of flux, with the old order passing and new experimental regimes being tested.
The Parlous State of Malay Politics
In Malaysia, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) group sees itself as defending Malay leadership. They claim to battle the Harapan coalition and have put the first democratically elected change at risk. This situation highlights a significant issue in Malaysian politics and the state of Malay interests.
Absence of Malay Unity
The PN’s goals show that there isn’t a single vision for the Malays. This leads to a lack of unity among them.
Contested Claims to Represent the Malays
The PN group argues they stand for Malay interests. But, this stance is met with much debate, highlighting the problem of a unified political voice for the Malays.
Intense Party Factionalism
There’s a lot of infighting among Malay political groups. This division is clear from the many party changes and alignments that took down the Harapan government.
Subverted Leadership Transitions
The shift in power to PN also broke an agreement for a smooth handover. This added to the instability in Malaysian politics.
Challenges Faced by the Malay Political Class (1997-2018)
Between 1997 and 2018, the Malay political class faced big challenges. They couldn’t keep their people’s support. The New Economic Policy and Vision 2020 rules were losing their power.
After being in charge for 25 years, the Malays found it hard to keep leading. Their decisions also lost the public’s support. And they couldn’t agree on new solutions that everyone would accept.
Declining Popular Support and Legitimacy
During this time, the Malay leaders found it hard to stay strong. The important rules and goals they followed for years were not as effective. This made it tough to lead the Malays without a clear plan.
So, the people started believing in them less. Without strong goals, the leaders couldn’t get the Malay community to stand by them. This really hurt their ability to lead.
Failure to Craft a Broadly Supported Settlement
Another big problem was not making a new plan that everyone would back. The rules that were the main focus for so long no longer worked well. But they couldn’t agree on a new way forward. This left a big gap in how to move ahead and represent the Malays.
Malaysia Politics: An Unsettled Conjuncture
The political scene in Malaysia is changing rapidly. The old ways are being replaced, and new challenges are emerging. This change shows the shake-up happening in Malaysia’s political journey.
The Old Order Passing
The Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition ruled Malaysia for more than 60 years. In 2018, its power came to an end in a landmark vote. This moment marked a big shift in the country’s political scene.
Harapan’s Experimental Regime Subverted
After that, the Harapan government took Malaysia in a new direction. It promised change but didn’t last long. Political games brought it down in 2020.
Today, Malaysia feels uncertain and unstable, especially in its politics. The problems aren’t being fixed, and the political world is in chaos. This has deepened the country’s political challenges.
Inability to Reform or Tackle Current Issues
Malay politics have been struggling to make real changes. Despite big shifts, leaders haven’t made a plan everyone supports for Malay politics reform. This lack of a clear direction has left many problems unsolved.
The PN coalition leaders claim to stand for Malays first. But, what they’ve done has made the political situation worse. They’re more focused on their own games instead of fixing real issues. This has made people lose faith in them.
The leaders haven’t fixed big problems like unequal economy or helping the people. Because of this, voters are disappointed. They’re looking for other groups that seem more serious about making things better for Malays.
If the Malay leaders don’t get serious about change and solving big issues, things may not get better. The country’s growth and peace could suffer because of their inaction.
Malaysia Politics Turning Inwards
Malay politics is changing quickly and causing chaos. The groups in Perikatan Nasional (PN) say they are fighting to keep Malays in power. But, this push has caused hidden problems in Malaysia’s politics.
This change has weakened the move towards democracy in the 14th General Election. This was in 2018, when Harapan took over, ending BN’s rule that lasted for over 60 years.
Malay politics looking inward has made different groups fight more. They are also struggling to show they truly represent Malays and fighting to make agreements many support. This has made people doubt and turn away from the Malay leaders. They are finding it hard to adjust to Malaysia’s new political scene.
Now, Malaysian politics is in a shaky situation. The old government is fading, and Harapan’s chance has been blocked. This shows Malay politics cannot change or deal with big problems well. Malay politics focusing inward has caused more chaos. It is a big hurdle for Malaysia’s political and economic growth.
Precipitating a Disorder of the Political System
Protagonists in Perikatan Nasional (PN) show themselves as defenders of Malay dominance. They point out a hidden problem in Malaysia’s political system. Their moves lead to a crisis. This crisis shows how shaky and difficult Malaysian politics can be.
The PN group calls themselves a “Malay-Muslim front.” They go against the Harapan group that won in 2018. This shakes the first democratic change of government Malaysia saw. The crisis deepens, pointing to the ongoing Malaysian political instability and the divisions among the Malay leaders.
The PN’s actions show there’s no real unity among Malays. They fight over who truly represents them. There’s a lot of infighting and they mess up leadership changes. All this helps fuel the Malaysian political crisis. It weakens the whole political system in Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Foreign Policy and Geopolitical Perceptions
Malaysia’s way of doing foreign policy is different from the traditional Western approach. It’s influenced by its own history and culture. This affects how Malaysia sees power, threats, and deals with them. Non-Western countries, like Malaysia, think and act in their unique ways.
Non-Western States’ Policy Formulation
Malaysia’s foreign policy is deeply rooted in its history and culture. This makes its approach different from what the West usually does. Exploring these unique influences helps us understand Malaysia’s views in world affairs. It shows us why they make the decisions they do.
Historical and Cultural Traditions Shaping Policy
Malaysia shapes its foreign policy based on its cultural and historical roots. This approach is not Western, but it works for Malaysia. It helps Malaysia navigate global relationships in its own way. These insights are key to understanding Malaysia’s views and actions on the world stage.
Kerajaan and Nama: Malay Concepts Shaping Foreign Policy
Kerajaan and nama are important in Malay political life and have affected Malaysia’s foreign actions. Kerajaan is about a community focused on its ruler, enlarging the ruler’s prestige with every interaction.
Ruler-Centered Community in Malay Political Life
The Malay view revolves around the ruler’s role in society and politics. This approach influences how Malay leaders engage with others, both locally and globally.
Person-to-Person Relations with a Ruler
Personal ties with the ruler are at the heart of Malay politics. This tradition leads Malay leaders to prefer direct talks for their foreign dealings.
Nama (Prestige) Facilitated Diplomacy
Nama, or prestige, is crucial in Malay foreign policy. Leaders work to boost their own prestige, influencing Malaysia’s international actions greatly.
Knowing about these ideas helps us understand how Malay foreign policy works. It offers an unique approach to how small nations handle foreign relations, outside the usual country-focused view.
Malaysia Politics: The Way Forward
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim aims to improve Malaysia’s economic and worldwide position. He plans to fix past issues and drive the country forward. Anwar’s vision includes better governance, more investments, and supporting local industries towards global growth.
Yet, Anwar encounters obstacles like home and international instability. The Malaysian public is also cautious. These challenges make advancing economic reforms and Malaysian political progress hard. It’s vital for Anwar and his leadership to tackle these issues head-on.
In 2025, Malaysia will lead ASEAN, testing its global and regional performance. Anwar’s achievements here and at home will greatly influence Malaysia’s future. They will show if Malaysia can be a key player in the region.