Thammasat University students interested in ASEAN studies, Malaysia, democracy studies, history, political science, sociology, law, and related subjects may find it useful to participate in a free 10 August Zoom webinar on Malaysia’s 2023 State Elections: Grounded Perspectives.

The event, on Sunday, 10 August 2023 at 1pm Bangkok time, is presented by ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore.

The TU Library collection includes books about different aspects of elections in Malaysia.

Students are invited to register at this link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_D-9PSQpvQn2aAbkwfgIZDg#/registration

The event webpage explains:

About the Webinar

While the November 2022 parliamentary election is still fresh on voters’ minds, many Malaysians will be heading to the polls again on August 12. Citizens in six of the country’s thirteen states will be picking their state assembly representatives. Rather than holding their state polls concurrently with the parliamentary elections last year, the leaders of these states opted to go to their full terms.

The six states can be distinctly clustered and compared. Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan are the incumbents in Selangor, Penang, and Negri Sembilan – urbanized ethnically diverse states on the peninsular west coast. In contrast, the states of Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu reside in the north, are more rural and ethnically homogenous, and up until the dissolution of their legislatures were under the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional.

Collectively, these states constitute a good cross-section of the country and will provide a good barometer of people’s feelings towards Perikatan Nasional as well as the Unity Government, comprised of Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition and its former foe Barisan Nasional.

Drawing on fieldwork in Kedah, Penang, Negri Sembilan, and Selangor, this event will provide a snapshot of the tone, tempo, temperature of the campaigns two days out from the elections.

About the Speakers

Azmil Tayeb is an Associate Professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia and a Visiting Research Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Dr Francis E. Hutchinson is a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Kevin Zhang is Senior Research Officer in the Malaysia Studies Programme at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, with research interests in electoral politics, labour markets, and transport.

Dr Lee Hwok Aun is a Senior Fellow and Co-coordinator of the Malaysia Studies Programme at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

A blog posted on the website of the Australian Institute of International Affairs last month noted:

The energized voting base of Malaysia’s many political parties demonstrates a growing sophistication among voters of the needs of the country. Major voting issues include the state of the economy, job scarcity, and government corruption.

On 12 August 2023, six states in Malaysia will conduct their respective state elections, including Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, and Kelantan. At present, three of these states are under the governance of the National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional (PN)), while the remaining three are administered by the Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan (PH)). The election commission has estimated a cost of around RM420 million to conduct these elections. This estimate brings into sharp relief the financial implications of democracy. The figure underscores the significance of these state elections, not just politically but economically as well.

Understanding the “Green Wave”

The 15th General Election (GE15) held in November 2022 saw a surge in participation from Malay voters who were responding to a series of socio-political issues of immediate concern. This revival of political activism is expected to carry through into the upcoming state elections, painting a picture of a Malaysian public more politically engaged than ever before. However, the optimism that comes with increased engagement should be tempered with the reality of existing concerns. The cost of living in Malaysia continues to rise, even as the value of the Malaysian Ringgit depreciates against the US dollar. Meanwhile, job scarcity, particularly for youth, adds another challenge for everyday Malaysians, particularly when they are coupled with a perceived lack of effort in curbing corruption within the government.

Some progressive and liberal political parties, such as DAP (Democratic Action Party), have termed this resurgence a “Green Wave,” viewing it as a potential warning sign of the expanding influence of Political Islam, or in their more extreme interpretations, the emergence of “Islamic Fascism.” The Green Wave is a term used by Lim Kit Siang to highlight and caution non-Malay voters about the increasing influence and potential implications of Party Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), a party known for advocating strong Islamic principles, in the Malaysian political landscape. However, the Green Wave, interestingly, has developed as a call for the broader rejection of kleptocratic governments, seen as inefficient and unable to deal with cost of living issues under inflation.

In the recent General Election, PAS made inroads in non-traditional constituencies underscoring a significant shift in the political landscape, with a surge in support from diverse communities – Malays, Indians, and Chinese alike – who are collectively rallying for efficient and accountable governance. PAS and BERSATU (The Malaysian United Indigenous Party) share a unique compatibility in their political ideologies. Known as a stalwart of the east coast, and deeply rooted in the Malay heartland, PAS is renowned for its focus on Islamic principles and governance. BERSATU, though it also resonates with Malay voters, primarily positions itself as a party for ethnic Malays, focusing on their socio-political and economic interests. This blend of religious and ethnic focus within the alliance has the potential to create a harmonised base of support in the Malaysian political landscape. […]

Political trajectories

Malaysia currently stands at a pivotal point, the outcome of which will set the course for the country’s political future. The upcoming state elections are a crucial gauge of Malaysia’s political growth. Regardless of the election results, it is essential for Malays to maintain and nurture their spirit of federalism.

Voters in Malaysia have become increasingly savvy and well-informed, which leaves no room for political complacency. The groundswell of support for Pakatan Harapan in Penang and Selangor back in 2018 was a clear demonstration of this shift. While we can expect the voting patterns to change, whether these changes will result in a shift of power remains an open question.

Political restructuring, a reality that Malaysia is currently experiencing at both the state and federal levels, is a complex process that requires deep understanding and a broader perspective. But at its heart, politics is about service delivery. The party that can convince the voters of their ability to deliver effective governance will be the one to clinch victory.

Presently, Malaysia finds itself navigating through a series of unprecedented crises. Although these challenges may seem daunting, they also represent the culmination of a political maturation process that has been unfolding since 1998. This upcoming state election, therefore, is not just a contest for power but a reflection of the nation’s political evolution and the increasing sophistication of Malaysian voters.

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)