Could Malaysia Field Multiracial Political Parties?
It’s doubtful but…
By: Murray Hunter
The train of events that put Malaysia’s most influential political figure behind bars for 12 years – although the disgraced former Prime Minister Najib Razak has been wriggling mightily at finding ways to get out – has raised profound questions about race-based politics, the political equation that has governed the country since its independence.
These questions have assumed added urgency with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s recent announcement that he intends to dissolve parliament soon and call national elections. Sources claim UMNO has already begun renting shophouses across the country as constituency election operations centers.
As we are heading into GE15, both sides of the political spectrum are jockeying for position. This is being done on the Malay-centric side in the name of 'Malay unity', while on the other side, there is yet to be any clear message. Pakatan Harapan, the multi-ethnic opposition coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat appears disorganized, its leaders at odds with each other, and about to squander a historic chance to move away from the rancid ethnic mix that has governed the country since independence. As a response to appease his many critics, Anwar has announced this is his last attempt to win the premiership, and if elected will only stay in office for one term…