Malaysia faces tight election race
Updated 12 April 2013, 12:57 AEST
In Malaysia it is being called 'the mother of all elections' by political parties, analysts and the media. It will be a true test of ideas and philosophies -- both within and between parties.
Thirteen million Malaysians are registered to vote on May 5, 20 per cent of them are voting for the first time.
Cost of living, taxation laws, educational opportunities, health services are all key issues, as is the economic progress of the country and desires for social and political liberalisation.
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional members
- United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
- Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)
- Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC)
- Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB)
- Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP)
- Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (GERAKAN)
- Peoples Progressive Party (PPP)
- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
- Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS)
- United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO)
- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)
- Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)
- Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)
The ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition is led by Prime Minister Najib Razak. He launched his party's manifesto "A Promise of Hope" on April 6 which includes a boost in family financial support and policies to address urban pressures with a focus on the country's economic development.
Prime Minister Najib has opened the door to broadening of BN social policies in response to growing domestic pressure and social change. He is promoting greater involvement of women in the coalition and recognising that young Malaysians are wanting more freedom.
The manifesto states "Our youth today make up two thirds of the population and their voices cannot and must not be ignored."
The Prime Minister says only a BN government can ensure Malaysia's continued economic success.
Prime Minister Najib presided over a closed door party meeting where candidates were being finalised.
"Forming a strong and viable government should be the ultimate objective of all Barisan Nasional members," he said.
There are tension within Barisan Nasional over how far and how quickly the party should liberalise.
Pakatan Rakyat
Pakatan Rakyat members
- People's Justice Party (PKR)
- Democratic Action Party (DAP)
- Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
The Opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat (People's Pact) is led by the country's former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
His coalition includes varied parties in term of ethnic and philosophical make up that come together around cross racial issues.
As a grouping on the federal level they have never had to test how they would operate as a united political outfit with a detailed agreed political platform.
Within the Opposition coalition, Anwar is the leader of the People's Justice Party (PKR).
Also part of the grouping is the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Malaysia's oldest opposition party. DAP is a multi racial party with a core constituency that is Malaysian Chinese.
Next is PAS - the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party supporting the Islamisation of political life.
Anwar Ibrahim said on twitter after the election date was announced "This election is not about parties or leaders. It is about the people demanding change in this country."
More stories:
Election issues
Other parties
- Parti Maju Sabah
- Parti Reformasi Negeri
- Human Rights Party Malaysia
In the last election BN faced what locals call an 'electoral tsunami' when the Opposition's support surged in the final days. In that election BN lost its crucial 2/3 majority in Parliament but was returned.
This time according to Dr Amrita Malhi from the Hawke Research Institute at the University of South Australia "it is on a knife edge."
Speaking from Adelaide she said "anticipation is building, this is the hottest contest people have seen."
"The way the Opposition is presenting itself is to make sure the election and conduct of national public life are election issues."
Sabah standoff
An attempt by a group of about 200 Filipino Muslims from Mindanao to ‘reclaim’ eastern Sabah for the self-proclaimed "Sultan of Sulu" provided a political challenge ahead of the election.More:
Bersih
Over recent years a grass roots democracy movement known as "Bersih" or 'clean' has grown.
Its supporters wearing yellow shirts have held several large demonstrations.
Bersih says the Malaysian electoral roll is inaccurate and must be updated.
Bersih's website outlines a list of changes it is calling for:
- The electoral roll is marred with irregularities such as deceased persons and multiple persons registered under a single address or non-existent addresses.
- The electoral roll must be revised and updated to wipe out these 'phantom voters'.
- The rakyat (people) have a right to an electoral roll that is an accurate reflection of the voting population.
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