Malaysia’s UMNO party, part of the ruling coalition, has said that it will not cooperate with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in the next general election and will contest the election alone. However, analysts believe that the approach is not practical as it could cost the party and won’t be enough to bring it back to power.
Malaysia’s government declared a state of emergency in January to contain the spread of COVID-19. The decree suspends parliament and postpones any possibility of an election, giving Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s embattled government time to push back against the opposition. However, the move risks further political instability as Muhyiddin may opt not lift the state of emergency as promised.
Malaysia’s largest political party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), has faced difficulties over the past few years but the party still has a future in Malaysia’s elections. Any attempts by other parties to ban or deregister UMNO are likely to further increase the party’s popularity.
With the US election finally over and President-elect Joseph Biden set to enter the oval office, leaders across Southeast Asia have turned to what the next four years may hold for relations with the embattled superpower.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he has enough support to form a new government. Whether or not he can wrest power from incumbent Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Malaysia is poised for more political turmoil.
There are already alarming signs of deteriorating media freedoms under Malaysia’s new government. In the country’s contentious political landscape, parties and leaders show little concern for freedom of the press.
With Malaysia’s current government facing a serious challenge of legitimacy, a snap election could be around the corner.
With Malaysian general elections potentially taking place later this year, the person in the spotlight will undoubtedly be Prime Minister Najib Razak. How has his leadership shaped Malaysia, and who are his potential opponents for the seat of Prime Minister?
Against the backdrop of wave after wave of corruption scandals and rising opposition in Malaysia, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak seems – paradoxically – more securely entrenched than ever.
The Malaysian opposition needs a leader. And fast. With talk of a general election on the horizon several candidates are jostling for precedence – none of them a sure bet.