Opinion | Malaysia’s ‘Malay-first but multiracial’ winning formula in politics faces test

The Perikatan Nasional coalition is seen by some as a ‘back door’ government and Pakatan Harapan is within striking distance of reclaiming Putrajaya

Even as there is a set path to electoral dominance, those in power must pay attention to young Malaysians’ ideals of meritocracy and multiculturalism

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and then premier Mahathir Mohamad in 2018. Photo: AP

Published: 11:30am, 26 Jun 2020Updated: 11:34am, 26 Jun 2020

Malaysia has been roiled by political uncertainty since the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition collapsed in February and was replaced by the new Perikatan Nasional coalition led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Made up of the multi-ethnic Barisan Nasional grouping comprising the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC); the Malay-Muslim grouping comprising Umno and the Islamist party PAS; and the Malay-centric party Bersatu, there is no guarantee that Perikatan Nasional will last.

Critics consider it a “back door” government, for it was not elected. Muhyiddin has so far managed to deflect a no-confidence vote and hang on to a parliamentary majority.

But observers say this majority is now razor-thin, and rumours of crossovers have intensified. There are growing calls for parliament to be dissolved and for Malaysia to have an election, just two years after the watershed 2018 polls that turfed Barisan Nasional out of power for the first time in six decades.

Barisan Nasional’s winning formula for electoral dominance, even while it was wracked by infighting, was its perpetuation of a Malay-led but multiracial coalition, representing the Malay-Muslim majority as well as ethnic minorities including Chinese, Indians and indigenous peoples from East Malaysia.

Its dominance was strengthened by its ability to ensure economic stability, an electoral system that favoured the incumbent, and a fragmented opposition.

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But even when it was in the ranks of the opposition, its formula helped it wrest some measure of influence back from Pakatan Harapan – it won five by-elections last year by cooperating with the Islamist party PAS and playing up issues of race and religion.