Malaysian Politics 101: Foundations and Fundamentals

At the break of dawn on 19 November 2022, I made my debut at the polling station and casted my first-ever ballot, becoming one of 1.4 million newly eligible voters aged 18-20 nationwide. While there were many nervous faces and shaking legs amongst the youth, the atmosphere that morning was undoubtedly more than that, charged with excitement and a palpable eagerness to participate in the democratic process.  

This historic moment was made possible by the implementation of the UNDI18 law prior to the elections, spurred by widespread protests from the public and political leaders. As the law came into effect, Malaysian youth that had amounted to 40% of the total electorate, quickly earned the moniker of ‘kingmakers,’ thought to wield significant influence on the result of the election. But as the dust began to settle and votes were counted, it revealed that us youth were not as united as it seemed, with none of the three main coalition managing to secure a simple majority of 113 votes. 

While the UNDI18 law represents a significant leap forward, it is evident that there’s still much ground to cover, sparking curiosity and eagerness to explore further into the intricate world of politics. And without formal political education embedded into the school syllabus paired with abundance of disarrayed information online, learning about politics can seem daunting. 

Having faced this challenge during my own learning journey a few years ago in preparation for the GE15, the difficulty in finding reliable sources to quench the thirst of political knowledge is unquestionable. To ease this process, I’ve decided to analyse, compile and structure the ultimate guide to politics through my Politic 101 series. And with that said, I welcome you to the first lesson of the journey – Foundations and Fundamentals of Malaysian Politics. 

The Nations’ Systematic Structure

Malaysia is known as a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, with His Majesty The King serving as the Paramount Ruler. Similar to that of the United Kingdom, power within the parliamentary democracy is separated into three: Legislative, the Judiciary and the Executive. 

The Legislative and the Executive often work hand-in-hand, with the Parliament acting as the ultimate legislative body, as a means to pass, amend and repeal acts of law. On the other hand, the executive branch consists of the Prime Minister as the head of the government, followed by the chosen ministers of the Cabinet to formulate various economic and development policies for the country as a whole. Through the whole process, it is the Judiciary that bears the responsibility and the only right to interpret the Constitution, to decide the validity of any law passed by Parliament, checking for any abuse of powers by the other two branches. 

The Birth of the Political Parties

Ever since its independence in 1957 and long before that, the political landscape in Malaysia has always been influenced by its people – the distinct differences in three main components of race, religion and ideologies, with political elites often appealing to this division of thoughts to mobilise their supporters, with an aim of winning the ‘centre ground’ and securing power. 

A critical point that emulsified Malaysia’s ethnic divisions came in 1946, when Malay elites had mobilised and formed the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), an ideology that focused on defending special privileges for the Malays. This was then followed by the formation of two other political parties housing the Chinese and Indian communities, MCA and MCI respectively. The three organisations became the leading force in a multiethnic national coalition that is now widely known as Barisan Nasional (BN). The coalition led by UMNO would govern the country from the year of independence in 1957, until 2018. 

Political parties emerging from the second divide were soon surfacing, between Islamists and secularists. Among many Malay elites, conversations on the role of Islam in public life became one of the main contentions, resulting in a divide between the participants of UMNO, with some breaking off from the party to create their own – Malaysian Islamic Party, also known as PAS in 1951. 

The third divide was more complex, owing to opinions on the reformation of the country. Over the decades, the country’s society championed for a more participatory system, calling for checks on corruption, abuse of power, and challenging the behaviour of political elites. This then divided these sides into two groups that advocated for reform, but in a completely different way. 

Over the years, these three divisions had become the main driving forces to the many emerging political parties in the nation, with the three main coalitions securing most seats in the parliament being Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional. 

Current Political Landscape

For the first time ever since its independence, Pakatan Harapan led by Mahathir Mohamad had shifted from the status of opposition to the government in 2018. Pakatan Harapan, a coalition consisting of People’s Justice Party (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and National Trust Party (AMANAH) continued to govern until 2022 and throughout, with a Unity Government with UMNO, following the showing of polling during the 2022 elections where no one coalition was able to win majority seats. 

Conclusion

While this article has delved into the foundational aspects of politics and its brief history, it merely scratches the surface of a much larger narrative. History has shown the profound impact that individuals wield on their communities, with a decision made by one person, influencing the lives of many, highlighting the pivotal role that political leaders play in shaping policies to shape the future of the nation. 

Yet, amidst this complexity, one thing remains clear: the importance of continued learning and engagement. Malaysian politics, with its diverse tapestry of cultures, ideologies and interests, demands active participation from its citizens, particularly its youth. As you make your first introductions with the key players and political parties in Malaysia, be aware that there is still much to uncover – deep within the roots of history. In the upcoming instalment of the series, we will peel back the curtain to reveal what truly occurs behind closed doors, offering insights into the workings of political parties in Malaysia, that I hope you’re thirsty for.