Malaysia has seen political instability over the last couple of years. The economy is struggling to recover from a pandemic-induced slowdown. Malaysians went to the polls on Saturday to elect a new government. More than 21 million people were eligible to vote. A party or coalition has to win at least 112 out of 222 parliamentary seats to secure a simple majority and form the government. However none of the major parties achieved this and they must now enter into coalition talks.
There were three major coalitions looking to lead the next government — the long-ruling United Malays National Organization-led Barisan Nasional of the incumbent PM Ismail; the Pakatan Harapan, led by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim; the Perikatan Nasional, or National Alliance, led by former PM Muhyiddin Yassin. Realistically, it is only the last two.
Pakatan Harapan won 82 seats while Perikatan Nasional alliance won 73 seats and the Barisan Nasional got 30. Political veteran and two-time former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed’s Pejuang was wiped-out and so was he!
GE15 has shown that the Malays in the north are increasingly rejecting the moderation practiced by BN and PH in favour of a more religious mindset which PAS preaches. Unfortunately, results from GE15 have shown that overzealous Islamisation, now offered by PN, is quickly gaining traction in the north.
It is bound to impact even further the country’s development, its attractiveness to foreign investment, economic viability, and the fundamental rights of non-Muslim Malaysians, as well those of women and children, in a significant way.
Malaysians need no reminding that countries which have gone down this path, especially Afghanistan and Iran, have suffered immensely. Malaysia cannot follow suit. In fact, there is no Islamic model that has been implemented successfully. Turkey suffers hyper-inflation and Pakistan is a “basket” case; while the Saudis are reversing all the Wahabbi’s have stood for. Hopefully some sense may prevail in this country.
The alternative offered by PN will have untold effects on Malaysia. Having already taken root in the north, PN will soon attempt to peddle its brand of Islamisation south. Malaysia’s political landscape is becoming increasingly fragile. Anwar and Zahid offer the alternative Malaysia needs. And, political parties and Malaysians must rise above their misgivings and accept the solution offered to build the economy back.
References:
Malaysia election results: What you need to know, Srinivas Mazumdaru, www.dw.com, November 19, 2022
PH, BN alliance offers Malaysia its best chance to build back, Ibrahim M Ahmad, FMT, November 20, 2022
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