Political Parties and the Election

System in Malaysia

PAD270
Malaysian Politics
 Content
1. Introduction.
2. The History of Political Parties in Malaysia.
3. Political Parties and school of thoughts.
4. The Election System in Malaysia.
5. Pressure Group and Elections in Malaysia
6. The Future of the Malaysian Political Culture and
Landscape.
 INTRODUCTION

• Political parties are part and parcel of democracies.

• Political systems do not inherently require the institution
of political parties to advance the politics of the political
system.
• Political parties are formed after political system are put
in place.
• It was only after the establishment of the government
first that then political parties can be formed.
 Party System in Malaysia

• The political party in Malaysia is based on communal/ethnic-

based.
• Compared to Western and developed countries, their political
parties are based on pragmatic-ideological orientation, although
they still maintain the major ideologies (liberal, democrat,
conservative, socialist, feminist) to distinguished among them.
• Political parties in Malaysia are formed on the basis of race,
religion, ideology, social class factors, thus that contributed to the
high number of political parties existed.
 Characteristics of Major Political Parties
in Malaysia

1. Predominantly ethnic—based derived from particular ethnic group.

2. Mostly founded largely on the necessity to protect the interests of
particular group.
3. The non-communal/ideological parties seem to have limited group
(leadership & bases of support)
4. Existence of party coalitions for specific reasons.
5. Centered around a dominant-party system.
The History of Political
Parties in Malaysia
Opposition Alliance in
Challenging BN Political
Hegemony
 Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU)

• Was an informal political coalition.

• The political coalition was formed by PAS, Parti Melayu Semangat
46 (546), Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (BERJASA), Parti
Hisbul Muslimin Malaysia (HAMIM) and Kongres India Muslim
Malaysia, (KIMMA) in 1990.
• KIMMA left the coalition 1995 and it was formally disbanded
after the 1995 election (10th Malaysian General Election)
 Gagasan Rakyat
• The political coalition was formed by DAP, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS),
Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), Barisan Progresif India (IPF) and Parti
Solidariti Malaysia (MSP) in 1990.
• It were also joined by three other members from Angkatan Perpaduan
Ummah (APU)
• On the 25th of January 1995, DAP withdrawn from the coalition.
 Barisan Alternatif (BA)

• Was a grand coalition of Malaysian opposition parties, formed as a

counterweight to the ruling BN in 1999.
• The four largest opposition parties- PAS, DAP, Keadilan and PRM
announced an electoral alliance and issued a joint manifesto.
• Although never formally registered, it was the first opposition
coalition that strongly challenge BN’s hegemony.
• Disbanded after the 2004 general elections, BA have formed a new
coalition, Pakatan Rakyat (PR), following the 2008 general elections.
Pakatan Rakyat

• Political coalition formed by the PRK, DAP and PAS in 2008.

• In April 2010, the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) officially joined as a
member of the Pakatan Rakyat after being expelled from Barisan
Nasional, but quit the coalition in May 2011.
• The DAP declared the coalition “dead” in June 2015, citing the
inability of the rest of the alliance to work with PAS, after PAS
congress passed the motion to sever ties with DAP without debate.
• It was succeeded by Pakatan Harapan.
Factors contributed to the establishment of Pakatan Harapan
(PH) as a new opposition coalition replacing Pakatan Rakyat
(PR)
1. BN between PAS and DAP in PR was beyond repair.
2. Withdrawal of PAS from PR due to several issues with DAP
especially on PAS Islamists’ agenda and Hudud.
3. The failure of the opposition party to form solid coalitions
starting from Barisan Alternative and Pakatan Rakyat.
4. The inclusion of PAS’s split Iraction Parti Amanah Negara
(AMANAH) and UMNO’s Parti Peribumi Bersatu Malaysia
(PPBM).
5. Ensuring that the split in Pakatan Rakyat will never be repeated.
6. Preparation for the 14th Malaysian General Election (2018)
 REASONS FOR BN LOST IN GE-14
(2018)
1. Najib’s weak administration and scandal – 1MDB, SRC, GST.
2. Strong opposition coalition – Pakatan Harapan replacing Pakatan
Rakyat.
3. The return of ‘Old Guard’ – Tun Dr Mahathir, Tun Daim Zainuddin, Tan
Sri Rafidah Aziz
4. Leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir – Uniting Pakatan Harapan (using 1
logo in election, leading and strategizing the Pakatan approach).
5. Malay Tsunami – especially in Umno’s stronghold.
6. Deficit in “ Fixed Deposit ” – Sabah, Sarawak and Johor.
PAS: The Islamic Party
• An ideological party that aim at creating an Islamic state.
• Established by Ahmad Fuad Hassan & Malayan Ulama (clerics) within
UMNO in 1951.
• PAS advocates the implementation of islam as a comprehensive way of
life.
• Objective of PAS:
1. To struggle for the establishment of a society and government in this country
that embodies and manifests Islamic values and issue that seek the pleasure of
the Almighty.
2. To uphold the sovereignty of the country and the security of the religion of
Islam.
• Its Islamic character began to clearly manifested in 1982
when the party leadership was replaced by the ulama
(clerics) headed by Yusuf Rawa, Fadzil Noor, Nik Aziz & Abdul
Hadi Awang.
• In 1990, PAS embarked of Hudud as the main struggle in
politics.
• Its major support base are located in the premodinantly
Malay states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah & Perlis.
• Since its establishment PAS managed to rule some states
government in Kelantan (1959-1977 & 1990-now),
Terengganu (1959-1962 & 1999-2004), Kedah (2008-2013) &
form a coalition government in Perak (2008-2009) and
Selangor (2008-2018).
• Currently rules Kelantan & Terengganu state governments
after GE-14
 DAP: The Social Democratic Party
• An ideological based/non-communal party but its support base is
mainly from the Chinese community.
• Has its origin from the People’s Action Party (PAP) of Singapore in
1965
• Established by Devan Nair, Chen Man Hin & former members of the
deregistered PAP of Malaysia.
• Although DAP has distanced itself from PAP, its main objective is not
dissimilar to PAP’s aim of achieving a Malaysian Malaysia.
• DAP’s leadership consists of professionals, trade unionists and
educationists
• Major strength of DAP is in the Chinese dominated areas Penang, the
Kinta Valley in Ipoh, the Klang Valley in Kuala Lumpur & Selangor and
major cities in Sabah & Sarawak.
• DAP has rule Penang state government since 2008 – now with its
coalition within PH.
Barisan Nasional (BN/National Front)

• Established in 1974 as a broad-based political coalition from its

predecessor, Parti Perikatan (Alliance Party)
• Made up of the former Alliance members and some former
opposition parties (GERAKAN, People’s Progressive Party (PPP), PAS.
• Reasons:
1. To lesson politicking among ethnic groups by widening a coalition.
2. To pave the way to solve ethnic disparities in the 13th May tragedy.
• Although PAS were expelled from BN in 1977, BN emerged as the
supreme and dominated Malaysian politics since independence.
• In the aftermath of the 2018 general election, BN lost its
hold of the parliament to Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the first
time in Malaysian history.
• It was also the first time BN became the opposition coalition
after almost, taken together with its predecessor (Alliance),
61 years in power.
BN Political Dominance
Factors contributed to the dominance of BN as a ruling party in
Malaysia:
1. The ability of BN to mobilize their ethnic voters through its
composition of 13 political parties.
2. Effective power-sharing practice and operational inter-elite
bargaining.
3. BN history of good governance and proven track record.
4. Strong control & monopoly of mainstream media enables BN to
campaign effectively and “black out” opposition news.
5. Advantage of “rural weightage” benefited from the
electoral system.
6. Manipulation of electoral roll through delineation and
practice of gerrymandering that always favors BN.
7. Effective practice of patronage towards voters.
8. Usage of 3M: Money, Media and Machinery.
 PKR: Centrist-Progressivism Political Party
• A centrist multiracial political party with a non-ethnic approach
through a strong emphasis on social justice and anti-corruption.
• Established in 2003 by a merger of the old Parti Keadilan Nasional
(KeADILan) and Parti Rakyat Malaysia(PRM).
• However, it was rooted back in 1999 during Reformasi era when the
DPM, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sacket in 1998.
• Parti Keadilan Nasional (KeADILan) was established then by
supporters of Anwar and led by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
• Although PKR is a non-communal party but its support base is among
the Malay electorate, urban voters and younger electorate.
• Its members comprised former UMNO members who left the party in
protest against the treatment meted to Anwar, former ABIM leaders
and leaders/members of NGO’s sympathized to Anwar.
• PKR has rule Selangor (2008-now) & Negeri Sembilan (2018) state
government with its coalition in PH.
Parti Peribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM)
• The party was founded by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad as Chairman
and Muhyiddin Yassin as a President.
• It is considered a Malay nationalist or Malay supremacist party.
• Most of the members are formerly joined UMNO.
• Born as a result of UMNO internal political disputes.
• The party currently has PPBM has 26 members of Parliament with its
Chairman is the current Prime Minister of Malaysia.
 Party Amanah Negara (AMANAH): The
Islamic-Modernism Party
• The party was founded as the Malaysia Workers’ Party before being
handed over in August 2015 to a group of progressive Islamists who
were leaders of the PAS which have lost in 2015 PAS party election.
• This group of Islamists then redefined the Malaysia Workers Party as
an Islamic party on 16 September 2015.
• The party currently has six elected Members of Parliament.
• It is one of the four component parties of the opposition coalition in
Malaysia called the Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Parti Warisan Sabah (WARISAN): Sabahan
Regionalism Party
• A regional Sabah-based party in Malaysia.
• The party was formed in October 2016, founded by Darrell Leiking
and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
• The party was formerly named as Parti Pembangunan Warisan Sabah
( Sabah Heritage Development Party).
• The party became part of the government coalition when PH won the
2018 general election.
• But WARISAN is only an electoral pact with PH, not part of the PH
pact as WARISAN will only contest in Sabah.
Pakatan Harapan
• Founded in 2015 as a coalition consisting the DAP, PER, AMANAH and
PPBM.
• It is the second largest coalition in the Parliament of Malaysia lead by
Dr Wan Azizah.
• The movement has aimed to form a broad alliance of centre-left
parties for the general election due to be held in 2018.
• PAS were out from this coalition and formed Gagasan Sejahtera with
Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (IKATAN), Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-
Malaysia (BERJASA), Parti Harapan Malaysia (PHM).
 The Election System in Malaysia
• Held every 5 years.
• Purpose: to elect representatives in the State Legislative Assembly to
lead the State Government and representatives of the House of
Representatives to form the Federal Government.
• Assigned to the Election Commission (EC) as stated in Article 113-120
of the Federal Constitution.
• There are two (2) types of election in Malaysia – General Election
and/or By-election.
• Election can be done after the legislative is dissolved by YDPA
for federal and Sultan/State Governors for state (through
PM/MB advise).
• Need to be held within 60 days for peninsular and 90 days
for Sabah and Sarawak.
Elections Commission (SPR)
• The Federal Constitution creates the institution of the Elections
Commission (SPR), which is tasked to:
1. Carry out election to the Dewan Rakyat as well as the Legislative
Assemblies of the various states throughout the Federation.
2. Prepare and review the electoral roll for the elections.
3. Come up with proposals relating to the delimitation exercise.
Delimitation of Election Constituencies
• Delimitation/delineation – the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of
territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.
• Delineation is one of the responsibilities mandated upon the Commission
(SPR).
• The SPR is tasked to come up with proposals relating to the delimitation
exercise.
• From time to time, the Commission shall from time to time, as it deems
necessary review the division of the Federation and the States into
constituencies and recommend such changes therein as they may think
necessary.
 The Principles of Delimitation of
Constituencies.
• The Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution lays down the
principles that must be taken into account in this process.
1. Constituencies ought to be delimited so that they do not cross
state boundaries and regard ought to be had to the
inconvenience of State constituencies crossing the boundaries of
federal constituencies.
2. The administrative facilities available within the constituencies
for the establishment of the necessary registration and polling
machines.
3. The number of electors within each constituency in a state ought to
be approximately equal. However, regard must also be given to the
disadvantages that rural constituencies face, so a measure of
weightage for area ought to be given to these rural constituencies.
4. The principle of maintenance of local ties (memelihara hubungan
tempatan).
• The Electoral Review for the delimitation of the Federation and the
Status constituencies can be initiated based on the following
circumstances:
1. Not less than eight (8) years from the date of completion of the
previous review, or
2. There are amendments to the law that are amended by the Federal
Constitution or the State Law, whether to increase/decrease the
number of council seats or the creation of new territories such as
the formation of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan
and Putrajaya.
The Procedures of Delimitation of
Constituencies
1. After the review is conducted and the proposals drafted, the
Commission must the issue a notice in the government gazettes and
local newspapers on the proposals and display the proposals at
public places to be view by the public.
2. Within one (1) month from the date of the notice, any party that
wish to object to the proposals may submit it to the Commission – If
there are objections from any state government, local government
or any group of 100 registered voters in any constituency who are
affected by the proposal, then the Commission must conduct a local
inquiry for those constituencies.
3. In the local inquiry, representation may be made by the objectors as
to why the objections are lodged.
4. The Commission may either accept the representations made at the
inquiries, or reject them. If the Commission make changes to the
proposals, a fresh notice must be issued.
5. After that, a report will be prepared and given to the Prime
Minister, showing the details of the proposals.
6. The Prime Minister will then table the report to the Dewan Rakyat,
along with a draft order on the proposals.
7. If proposals are rejected by the Dewan Rakyat or withdrawn with
leave of the Dewan, the Prime Minister after consulting with the
Commission may amend the draft and table the proposals to the
Dewan Rakyat again.
8. If the majority of the members of the Dewan Rakyat approve the
draft, it will then be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA)
who will then make the order in the terms of the draft order.
9. The order will then come into force at a date specified.
The Future of the Malaysian
Political Culture and
Landscape
 VOTING BEHAVIOUR
• Voting behaviour – refers to how people vote in an election – i.e. How
they make their choice of a candidate or party or how they decide
who to vote for.
• In other words, what factors do they consider as important before
they cast their ballet. Put simply, it means how or on what basis the
voters make their decisions.
• Several basic factors can be identified as reasons for choosing a
candidate or party in a general election.
• A voter may choose a candidate on the basis of one or more of the
following considerations:
1. Party identification
• Also known as a party affiliation, partisanship or party loyalty.
• Some voters identify with one of the major parties and the party ties
or loyalty influence to vote.
• The major influence on party affiliation or party attachment comes
from the family, teachers and peers.
• E.g. Parent loyal to UMNO, chances are that son will be one, too.
2. Candidate
• Voters also judge candidates by their personal characteristics.
• They are likely to vote for candidates they perceive as capable of
being effective leaders.
• Personal characteristics/traits or qualities includes personal life (the
way candidates lead their personal life), character, personal appeal
and appearance, competency leadership ability, experience,
knowledge, honesty, integrity, morality, trustworthiness and empathy
(caring about people).
3. General Assessment
• Voters rely on general evaluations of the government or the party in
power (performance, Manifesto, Campaign etc)
• Retrospective (past) evaluation of government performance is an
important, more immediate or short-term determinant of voting
behaviour.
• How well the government has done; how well its pre-determined
objectives have been achieved; what the government should do or
should not do; has the national economy and national security
improved – these are questions that the voters will evaluate before
they make a decision and before they going to the polls.
4. Issues
• Many voters say they vote only on policy issues (short-term
consideration).
• This means that they choose based on the stand on questions of great
importance to them.
• These issues include:
1. Economic performance.
2. Welfare benefits.
3. Election manifesto.
4. Gender, race, religion, age or social class.
Malaysian Political Culture

1. Feudal – The attitude of loyalty and subconscious compliance to the

upper class is said to have been in the Malaysian political culture
since long ago.
2. Parochial – The people have no understanding of ‘the national
political system, do not possess any tendency to participate in the
input processes and have no consciousness of the output processes’
(limited awareness).
3. Conservative – Tend to preserve a tradition or hereditary practices.
A conservative mind likes to make a practice unchanged and resists
change (oppose reformation)
4. Submissive – Inclined or ready to submit; unresistingly or humbly
obedient to the authorities that may exert a dominance of their
conscience design strictly for the gain.
5. Passive – Tend to be a political subject (passive, inactive citizens)
rather than active, participatory in political affairs of the country.
6. Undivided Loyalty – Obedient, indifferent, discourage to
questioning, afraid for opposition or criticism and just following the
wishes of the communion, it is implicit in the context of the
relationship between the leader-subordinates
 Special Provisions (Attributes) of the Federal
Constitutions of Malaysia
1. Declaration of Malaysia as a federation (Article 1).
2. Uphold Supremacy of Constituton (Article 4)
3. Embraces Constitutional Monarchy (Article 40).
4. Practices Parliamentary Democracy (Chapter 4 Part IV)
5. Recognizes Islam is the official religion (Article 3) of the Federation
but other religion may be practised freely (Article 11).
6. Allocates separation of power in government administration (Article
71, 73-79)
 The Social Contract
• It refers to the agreement made by the country’s founding fathers in
the Constitutions.
• The social contract usually refers to a quild pro quo agreement
through Articles 14-18 of the Constitutions, pertaining to:
1. Granting citizenship to the non-Malays of Malaysia.
2. Preservation and institutionalization of Malays special rights and
privileges in the Constitution.
• In its typical context related to race relations, the social contract has
been heavily criticized by many, especially non-Malays.
Malays Special Rights in the Constitutions.
• The provisions relating to the Malay Special Rights are preserved in
the Malaysian Constitution uner Article 153.
• The question of how much should be devoted to the Malays and the
bumiputra?
• The Constitution states that the amount is “a rate which the YDPA
deems fit”
• Although this amount is not explained, but practice in the matter is
done through several methods:
1. Proportional Method: e.g. admission to public universities, through
formula Malay (60%) Chinese (20%) Indian (10%) = admission
placement 10 = (Malay 6, Chinese 2 & Indian 1).
2. Percentage Method: e.g. 30% Malay equities in national economy
through the NEP.
3. Quota Method: the recruitment of civil service personnel in Malaysia
is on the basis of 1:4 quota.
4. Policies/Acts Methods: Malay Discount in buying real estates,
Bumiputera First Policy in government tenders/contracts, etc.