In the 14th general election in Malaysia, the opposition coalition overturned the ruling coalition's entrenched incumbency of over six decades. The ruling coalition suffered from a legitimacy deficit and corruption scandals. The election witnessed four coalitions of parties, but these coalitions have been ephemeral, and Malaysian politics continues to be based on racial arithmetic.
AbstractThe Malaysian electoral behaviour has for some time reflected the 'partisan identification' thesis. Since 1999, however, there has been a marked shift towards 'secular dealignment'. Analyses of electoral and survey data reveal that although a significant number of Malaysian voters remained attached to the party they identified with, most of the electorate, however, are swayed by short-term factors. Though the economic issues played a role in the three elections, it is the leadership of the parties supplemented by the use of mass media that played a significant role in swinging the vote from one party to the other. The three elections in 1999, 2004, and 2008 can be categorized as evidence of secular dealignment: the 1999 elections substantially reduced the margin of gain by the ruling coalition; the 2004 elections reversed the opposition gain, while the 2008 elections resulted in the loss of two-thirds majority seats in the parliament habitually enjoyed by the ruling coalition and the emergence of a strong opposition coalition. This trend not merely continued but was much more stronger in the 13th Malaysian general election.
The reform movement of 1998 and the general elections in 1999 are argued by many to have brought about a shift in Malaysian political culture, which became evident in 2008 elections. Studies conducted before 1999, based on fragmentary evidence, pictured Malaysia as having a "subject" political culture. The post-2008 survey data presents a picture of a high level of participation approximating the "participant" political culture. This change in political culture is due, among other reasons, to the poor regime performance, the emergence of civil society and the availability of alternative media. The 2008 elections, which witnessed the emergence of a "strong" opposition in the parliament, reflect the maturity of the Malaysian electorate, noticeably since 2004, which augurs well for democracy in the country. (Asian Aff/GIGA)
AbstractThe Barisan Nasional (BN) which won a landslide in 2004 was returned to power in 2008 elections with reduced majority and the loss of five state assemblies. Dissatisfied with unfulfilled promises, the electorate protested by voting for a strong opposition. BN additionally was characterized by factionalism. Three opposition parties joined hands and, using alternative media, unexpectedly won 82 seats in the parliament. A strong responsible opposition bodes well for Malaysian democracy.
The Barisan Nasional (BN), which won a landslide victory in 2004, was returned to power in the 2008 elections with reduced majority and the loss of five state assemblies. Dissatisfied with unfulfilled promises, the electorate protested by voting for a strong opposition. BN was additionally characterized by factionalism. Three major opposition parties joined hands on a platform of multiculturalism and, using alternative media, unexpectedly, won 82 seats in the parliament. A strong responsible opposition bodes well for multiculturalism and Malaysian democracy. Adapted from the source document.
The Pengkalan Pasir by-election in December 2005 was keenly contested by two major political forces in the heart of Malay Muslim Kelantan. It was an election with a difference. The ruling coalition at the national level was the underdog contesting in an opposition stronghold in a state controlled by the opposition. The by-election was won by the ruling coalition with a slim majority leaving the opposition party PAS with a one-seat majority in the state assembly. Allegations of phantom voters, civilian roadblocks, and election petitions notwithstanding, the Election Commission claimed that the Pengkalan Pasir by-election was clean and successful and hence a model to be emulated in future elections. This article analyses the Pengkalan Pasir by-election by focusing upon several factors including the constituency's strategic importance, the nature of the party system, its voting patterns in preceding general elections, and its impact on the political system at the notional and state levels. Adapted from the source document.
The Pengkalan Pasir by-election in December 2005 was keenly contested by two major political forces in the heart of Malay Muslim Kelantan. It was an election with a difference. The ruling coalition at the national level was the underdog contesting in an opposition stronghold in a state controlled by the opposition. The by-election was won by the ruling coalition with a slim majority leaving the opposition party PAS with a one-seat majority in the state assembly. Allegations of phantom voters, civilian roadblocks, and election petitions notwithstanding, the Election Commission claimed that the Pengkalan Pasir by-election was clean and successful and hence a model to be emulated in future elections. This article analyses the Pengkalan Pasir by-election by focusing upon several factors including the constituencys strategic importance, the nature of the party system, its voting patterns in preceding general elections, and its impact on the political system at the national and state levels. (Contemp Southeast Asia/GIGA)
