Malaysia

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 Malaysia's political system

Malaysia's political system operates as a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country has a multi-party system with frequent shifts in alliances and coalitions.

Major Political Parties and Ruling Majority

As of 2025, Malaysia is governed by a Unity Government led by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in collaboration with Barisan Nasional (BN) and other smaller parties. This coalition was formed after the 15th General Election (GE15) resulted in no single party gaining a clear majority. PH, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, partnered with BN, which had historically been its rival, to secure a governing majority 【9】.

The opposition is led by Perikatan Nasional (PN), a right-leaning coalition dominated by Bersatu (Malaysian United Indigenous Party) and PAS (Malaysian Islamic Party). PN has strong support among the Malay-Muslim majority, particularly in rural areas and states like Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah 【8】【9】.

Support Base of Political Coalitions

1. Pakatan Harapan (PH) – Generally supported by:
   • Urban voters and professionals
   • Ethnic Chinese and Indian communities
   • Younger, progressive Malaysians advocating for reforms
   • Middle-class and educated voters in cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang
2. Barisan Nasional (BN) (part of the Unity Government) – Historically supported by:
   • Older Malay voters loyal to UMNO (United Malays National Organisation)
   • Business communities that benefited from BN’s long rule
   • Rural communities (though they have shifted towards PN in recent years)
3. Perikatan Nasional (PN) – Gaining momentum among:
   • Malay-Muslim conservatives
   • Islamic religious groups and institutions
   • Younger Malay voters in rural states
   • Small-business owners and lower-income Malays disillusioned with PH-BN policies 【10】.

Key Political Issues

• Economic Growth & Cost of Living – High inflation and economic uncertainty remain major concerns.
• Ethnic and Religious Politics – Malay-Muslim identity plays a strong role in shaping voter preferences.
• Corruption & Governance – Both PH and PN use allegations of corruption to attack each other.
• Education & Employment – Youth unemployment and university reforms are key issues for younger voters 【8】.

In summary, Malaysia's political landscape is deeply influenced by ethnicity, religion, and economic concerns. The Unity Government faces challenges from an energized PN opposition, which continues to gain support among Malay-Muslim voters 【9】【10】.

UMNO in Malaysian Politics: Current Status and Future Role

The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) is a key political party in Malaysia, historically dominant but facing significant challenges in recent years. It is currently led by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has been at the center of internal party struggles and legal controversies.

Current Role & Challenges

• UMNO is part of the unity government coalition led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. However, internal tensions have emerged due to disagreements over governance, particularly regarding issues like the royal pardon for former PM Najib Razak (Umno opposition to Anwar gathers momentum after Ku Li's call to resign over addendum fiasco | MalaysiaNow).
• There are divisions within UMNO, with some members questioning Zahid's leadership and pushing for party reforms (Malaysia: The Golden Age Of UMNO Is On The Wane – Analysis – Eurasia Review).
• The party’s historical voter base—ethnic Malays and rural communities—remains strong, but younger voters are increasingly supporting alternative parties like PAS and Bersatu (Malaysia: The Golden Age Of UMNO Is On The Wane – Analysis – Eurasia Review).

Future Prospects

• UMNO faces a difficult path to regain its former dominance, as its reputation for corruption continues to hurt its electoral prospects (Malaysia: The Golden Age Of UMNO Is On The Wane – Analysis – Eurasia Review).
• Some factions within the party support a return to a more reformist UMNO, possibly under figures like Khairy Jamaluddin, while others want to maintain close ties with Anwar's government (Should Khairy Jamaluddin Rejoin UMNO? - Malaysia Today).
• The party must decide whether to remain in the unity government with Anwar, seek alliances with Perikatan Nasional (PN), or attempt to rebuild its own independent power base (Malaysia: The Golden Age Of UMNO Is On The Wane – Analysis – Eurasia Review).

Conclusion

UMNO is at a crossroads: it can either modernize and rebuild its credibility or risk further decline. The outcome will depend on internal leadership battles and how the party adapts to Malaysia's changing political landscape.

 Relationship Between UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN)

Barisan Nasional (BN) is a political coalition in Malaysia, and UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) is its dominant and founding party. The relationship between the two has evolved over time, especially after UMNO's political decline in recent years.

Historical Context

• Founded in 1973, BN was a successor to the Alliance Party, which had ruled Malaysia since independence.
• UMNO led BN in a long period of political dominance (1973–2018), with coalition partners like the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) supporting a multi-ethnic governing framework.
• BN remained Malaysia’s ruling coalition for decades until its defeat in the 2018 general election due to corruption scandals (notably 1MDB).

UMNO's Role in BN Today

• UMNO is still the largest and most influential party in BN.
• After the 2018 loss, some BN component parties (such as Gerakan) left the coalition, reducing its influence.
• In 2022, UMNO, through BN, played a crucial role in forming the "unity government" with Pakatan Harapan (PH) under Anwar Ibrahim.

Future of the UMNO-BN Relationship

• BN is now seen as weaker, with UMNO struggling to maintain control.
• Some within UMNO favor leaving BN to regain Malay-majority support, while others want to keep BN as a political vehicle to balance power (Malaysia: The Golden Age Of UMNO Is On The Wane – Analysis – Eurasia Review).
• The uncertain leadership of UMNO, coupled with BN’s declining electoral relevance, raises questions about whether UMNO will continue leading BN or seek new political alignments (Malaysia: The Golden Age Of UMNO Is On The Wane – Analysis – Eurasia Review).

In summary, UMNO and BN are deeply linked, but BN has become weaker, and UMNO's future role within it remains uncertain.

 Dominant Political Parties in Johor and Penang (2025)

Johor

In Johor, UMNO (United Malays National Organization) remains the dominant political force. In the most recent state election, Barisan Nasional (BN), led by UMNO, won a two-thirds majority in the Johor State Assembly, securing 40 out of 56 seats. This includes significant victories by UMNO (33 seats), along with MCA (4 seats) and MIC (3 seats). The success of BN in Johor has reaffirmed UMNO’s stronghold in the state, despite challenges from Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH)【28】.

Penang

Penang has traditionally been a Pakatan Harapan (PH) stronghold, with DAP (Democratic Action Party) playing a key role in governing the state. However, there are emerging challenges from Perikatan Nasional (PN), particularly PAS. Some political analysts suggest that PAS could gain more influence in Penang due to the growing Malay population, potentially making it more competitive in future elections【29】.

Overall, while Johor remains UMNO/BN-dominated, Penang continues to be a stronghold of PH, particularly DAP, though PAS is positioning itself to gain influence.

Role of the Federal and State Governments in Malaysia

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy, meaning that power is divided between the federal government and 13 state governments. The division of power is outlined in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, which assigns specific responsibilities to each level of government.

1. Role of the Federal Government

The federal government is responsible for national governance and policies that affect the entire country. It is led by the Prime Minister and operates from Putrajaya. Key areas of control include:

Executive Power

• The Prime Minister and Cabinet manage federal ministries and policies.
• The King (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) serves as the head of state but primarily plays a ceremonial role.

Legislative Power

• Parliament (Dewan Rakyat & Dewan Negara) enacts laws at the national level.
• Federal laws apply uniformly across all states.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Foreign Affairs – Diplomatic relations, treaties, international trade.
• Defence & Security – Armed forces, police, border control.
• Finance & Economy – National budget, taxation, banking.
• Education – National school curriculum, universities.
• Health – Public hospitals, national healthcare policies.
• Transport & Infrastructure – Highways, railways, airports.
• Civil & Criminal Law – National legal framework and courts.

2. Role of State Governments

Each state in Malaysia has its own state government, led by a Chief Minister (Menteri Besar or Ketua Menteri). State governments have autonomy over specific areas and report to the State Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri, DUN).

Key Areas of State Control

• Land & Natural Resources – Forests, water supply, mining.
• Islamic Affairs – Religious institutions, Syariah courts (for Muslims).
• Local Government & Housing – Town planning, municipal services.
• State Infrastructure – State roads, water supply.
• Agriculture & Fisheries – Rural land use and farming policies.

Exception:

• Sabah and Sarawak have greater autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), allowing them more control over immigration, taxation, and natural resources.

3. Interaction Between Federal and State Governments

• Shared Powers: Areas like public health, education, and transportation involve both federal and state governments.
• Federal Supremacy: If there is a conflict, federal law overrides state law.
• Financial Dependency: States rely on federal funding, as taxation powers are mostly controlled by the central government.

Conclusion

Malaysia’s federal system balances national unity with state autonomy, but the federal government holds greater power. However, regional dynamics, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, continue to influence the balance of power in Malaysian politics.

Key Political Parties in Sabah and Sarawak & Existing Tensions

Sabah

The political landscape in Sabah is complex, with multiple parties forming shifting alliances. The dominant coalition is Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. GRS consists of various Sabah-based parties, including:

• Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) – The largest party in GRS
• Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)
• Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR)
• Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)

Additionally, national coalitions such as UMNO (Barisan Nasional, BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have a presence in Sabah, but UMNO is currently in opposition at the state level. Another key opposition party is Parti Warisan (Warisan), which previously governed Sabah but now leads the opposition.

One of the main challenges for GRS is maintaining unity among its diverse component parties, as some factions (e.g., PBS and STAR) are exploring independent paths. There are also tensions between Sabah-based parties and national-level coalitions, as Sabah politicians demand greater autonomy and resource control (Politics in Sabah: Orchestrated Manoeuvres in the Dark | FULCRUM).

Sarawak

The dominant coalition in Sarawak is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which is separate from national coalitions like BN and PH. GPS consists of:

• Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) – The largest and most influential party
• Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)
• Progressive Democratic Party (PDP)
• Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)

GPS enjoys broad support from indigenous communities and is firmly in control of Sarawak’s politics. It has strategically maintained a cooperative but independent stance toward the federal government, negotiating for greater autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

There is occasional tension between Sarawak and Putrajaya (federal government), particularly over revenue distribution and autonomy issues. Some Sarawak-based politicians push for greater self-rule, but full independence remains unrealistic. GPS also faces a challenge from Malayan-based parties (PKR, DAP), which struggle to expand their influence in Sarawak (Future directions for Sabah and Sarawak - Malaysia Today) (CNA Explains: As potential kingmakers, how will parties in Sabah and Sarawak shape Malaysia GE15? - CNA).

Tensions & Future Prospects

• Sabah’s GRS coalition faces internal divisions, particularly among Kadazandusun-based parties.
• Sarawak’s GPS is more stable but continues to push for greater autonomy from the federal government.
• Both Sabah and Sarawak are "kingmakers" in Malaysian politics, as their parliamentary seats are crucial in forming a federal government.
• National coalitions like BN, PH, and PN are competing for alliances with Borneo-based parties, making Sabah and Sarawak strategically important (CNA Explains: As potential kingmakers, how will parties in Sabah and Sarawak shape Malaysia GE15? - CNA).

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