Regimewechsel Durch Wahlen? Der Malaysische Tsunami Im Mai 2018

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Regimewechsel Durch Wahlen? Der Malaysische Tsunami Im Mai 2018 Regimewechsel durch Wahlen? Der malaysische Tsunami im Mai 2018 Andreas Ufen Mai 2018 Am 9. Mai 2018 fanden die 14. Wahlen auf Bundes- und Landesebene in Malaysia statt. Die aus 13 Parteien bestehende Regierungskoalition Natio- nale Front oder Barisan Nasional verlor überraschend ihre jahrzehntelange Vorherrschaft. Letztlich wurde das alte autokratische Regime also durch Wahlen, die zugleich den Anfang einer Demokratisierung markieren, ge- stürzt. Die Schaffung Modellen nicht mittragen konnte. Bei den Wah- einer kohärenten Opposition len 2004 führte dies zu einer vernichtenden Nie- derlage der Oppositionsparteien. Der Reform- asi-Enthusiasmus war zu diesem Zeitpunkt am Als im Gefolge der Wirtschafts- und Finanzkrise Ende. Aber schon 2005 entstand die Volksal- 1998/99 der stellvertretende Premierminister lianz (Pakatan Rakyat), wiederum aus DAP, PAS Anwar Ibrahim verhaftet worden und eine breite und der PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Volksge- Reformasi-Bewegung entstanden war, gründete rechtigkeitspartei), nachdem deren De-fac- die Parteienopposition die Alternative Front to-Vorsitzender Anwar Ibrahim aus dem Gefäng- oder Barisan Alternatif. Sie erzielte bei den nis entlassen worden war und die verfeindeten Wahlen 1999 beachtliche Erfolge und erhielt 80 Gruppen sich wieder annäherten. Bei den Wah- der 222 Sitze im nationalen Parlament. Diese len 2008 und 2013 erzielte diese Opposition er- Koalition war allerdings brüchig, weil sie aus so hebliche Gewinne. 2008 siegte sie sogar in fünf ungleichen Partnern bestand. Folglich löste sie der 13 Bundesstaaten, und 2013 erhielt sie lan- sich schon 2001 wieder auf, da die überwiegend desweit die Mehrheit der Stimmen – noch nicht ethnisch-chinesische DAP (Democratic Action aber die der Mandate. 2013 machte die BN vor Party) ausscherte, weil sie die zunehmende Hin- allem die vermeintlich undankbaren ethnischen wendung der PAS (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, Isla- Chinesen verantwortlich und sprach von einem mische Partei Malaysias) zu islamstaatlichen »Chinese Tsunami«. Blickwechsel | Mai 2018 Seite 1 Mahathir: Der Report" über die Machenschaften im Umfeld des alte und neue staatlichen Investitionsfonds 1MDB. Najib hatte Premierminis- vor den Wahlen 2013 fast 700 Mio. US$ auf seine ter Malaysias persönlichen Konten überwiesen bekommen. Er (Foto: CK Tan) erklärte 2015, dass ein namentlich nicht genann- ter Angehöriger des saudischen Königshauses ihm dieses Geld aus Anerkennung für den Kampf der malaysischen Regierung gegen den Terroris- mus zukommen ließ. Der Großteil des Geldes soll später nach Saudi-Arabien zurückgeflossen sein. Es ist aber wahrscheinlich, dass das Geld ei- gentlich aus dem 1MDB-Fonds stammt. Das US-amerikanische Justizministerium hat in ei- nem detaillierten Bericht zahlreiche Geldflüsse rekonstruiert und die Erklärungen des Premier- ministers und malaysischer Regierungsstellen ad absurdum geführt. Najib, der sich nach seinem Amtsantritt im Jahr 2009 zunächst als Reformer zu profilieren suchte, und den berüchtigten ISA (Internal Se- curity Act) im Jahr 2012 abschaffte, regierte im Im Jahr 2015 wurde die Oppositionskoalition er- Zusammenhang mit dem 1MDB-Skandal im neut gesprengt. Wiederum waren es die Konser- Laufe der Jahre immer autokratischer. So ließ er vativen in der PAS, die den Bruch herbeiführten. an die Stelle des ISA den Prevention of Terro- Beim Parteitag wurden die reformerischen rism Act (2015) und den Security Offences (Spe- Kräfte, die sich von den Zielen der Schaffung cial Measures) Act (2012), der sogar die Todes- eines »Islamstaates« und der weiteren Durch- strafe zur Folge haben kann, setzen. Außerdem setzung islamischen Strafrechtes distanzierten, führte er im Juni 2016 den National Security ausgebootet. Durch die Form und die Radikali- Council Act ein. Dieser sieht die Einrichtung tät dieser Marginalisierung sah sich diese Par- von »national security areas« vor, in denen der teifaktion veranlasst, eine neue Partei, die Parti Ausnahmezustand gilt und Sicherheitskräfte Amanah Negara (oder kurz: AMANAH) zu grün- Verhaftungen ohne Haftbefehl für eine Dauer den und sich danach der DAP und der PKR an- von bis zu sechs Monaten vornehmen können. zuschließen. Im April 2018 schließlich, also kurz vor den Wahlen, trat das Gesetz gegen Fake News in Kraft. Es sieht Geldstrafen von bis zu 123.000 US$ und bis zu sechs Jahre Haft vor. Das Gesetz Najibs Abstieg definiert Verstöße sehr abstrakt, so dass schon und die Spaltung UMNOs Teilwahrheiten oder »Suggestionen« für eine Anklage ausreichen können. Da AMANAH nur mit einem Bruchteil der PAS-Wähler*innenstimmen rechnen konnte, galt Diese zunehmende Repression korrelierte mit die neue Koalition als schwach. Für Premiermi- einem selbstherrlichen Vorgehen gegen partei- nister Najib Razak und die von ihm geführte Re- interne Kritiker, was letztlich die Gründung ei- gierungspartei UMNO (United Malays National ner weiteren Partei, der Vereinigten Pribumi Organisation) standen die Zeichen für einen neu- Partei Malaysia (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, erlichen Wahlsieg deshalb eigentlich sehr gut, PPBM, oder kurz: Bersatu) im Jahr 2017 zur zumal es gelang, sich der PAS etwas zu nähern. Folge hatte. Bersatu bestand aus Mahathir und Allerdings hatte Najib mit der 1MDB-Affäre zu seinem Sohn Mukhriz, der in Kedah aus dem kämpfen. Im Juli 2015 berichteten das »Wall Amt des Ministerpräsidenten gedrängt worden Street Journal" und dann die oppositionsnahe, war, aber auch aus dem von Najib gefeuerten aus England operierende Internet-Seite »Sarawak ehemaligen stellvertretenden Premierminister Seite 2 Blickwechsel | Mai 2018 Anwar Ibrahim bei einer Rede kurz nach seiner Freilassung (Foto: Khairul Effendi/ Instagram: @keyroll_spanky) Muhyiddin. DAP, PKR, AMANAH und Bersatu die einseitige Medienberichterstattung, unvoll- bildeten fortan die Pakatan Harapan (PH) oder ständige oder manipulierte Wahlverzeichnisse Hoffnungsallianz, und der Beitritt der beiden und eine vom Premierminister abhängige Wahl- neuen Parteien sollte sich im Nachhinein als kommission. Die Wahlkommission gab ein be- wahlentscheidend herausstellen. klagenswertes Bild ab, und es war nicht klar, ob das auf ihre Unfähigkeit oder auf eine absichts- Gleichzeitig kam es zu einer vorsichtigen An- volle Nachlässigkeit zurückzuführen war. Die näherung von UMNO und PAS. UMNO stellte erst kurz vor Auflösung des Parlamentes durch der PAS in Aussicht, den Syariah Courts Crimi- das Parlament gepeitschte, höchst kontroverse nal Jurisdiction Act von 1965 zu verschärfen. Neueinteilung der Wahlkreise (die Redezeiten Bei bestimmten Vergehen (Alkoholkonsum, der Opposition wurden auf insgesamt eine Prostitution, »unerlaubte Nähe« (khalwat) und Stunde begrenzt), schien die BN klar zu bevor- Ehebruch) wären dann bis zu 30 Jahre Haft, teilen. Es wurden viele ländlich geprägte, mehr- Geldstrafen bis zu 100.000 Ringgit (ca. 21.360 €) heitlich malaiische Wahlkreise geschaffen, in oder bis zu 100 Stockschläge möglich. denen UMNO traditionell besonders gut ab- schneidet. Besonders kritisiert wurde die Tat- sache, dass verstärkt Wahlkreise geschaffen wurden, die von einzelnen ethnischen Gruppen Der Wahlkampf beherrscht werden. Der Wahlkampf dauerte nur elf Tage, weil die Bei der Nominierung scheiterten mehrere Oppo- BN wohl fürchtete, ein längerer Wahlkampf sitionspolitiker, meist aufgrund fehlender Pa- würde der Opposition nützen. Der Wahltag piere oder wegen angeblicher Insolvenz. Tian wurde zudem auf einen Mittwoch gelegt, ver- Chua, einer der prominentesten PKR-Politiker, mutlich um die Wahlbeteiligung gering zu hal- wurde in letzter Minute und völlig unerwartet ten. Allerdings erklärte die Regierung wenige nicht als Kandidat zugelassen, weil er in einem Tage später, der Wahltag würde zugleich ein Gerichtsverfahren eine Geldstrafe von 2.000 nationaler Feiertag sein. Ringgit (ca. 427 €) hatte bezahlen müssen. Die Opposition beklagte außerdem, dass die Regie- Eine Vielzahl von Wettbewerbsverzerrungen be- rung ihren Wahlkampf behindern würde. Ein Bei- nachteiligte die Opposition: Dazu zählen z. B. spiel dafür war ein kurzfristig bekanntgegebener Blickwechsel | Mai 2018 Seite 3 Erlass der Wahlkommission, wonach auf Wahl- Najib eine Art Werbevideo. Nach den Wahlen plakaten nur Bilder bestimmter Funktionsträger entschuldigte er sich dafür und verwies darauf, der Partei zu sehen sein durften. Deshalb wurden dass er sich dazu genötigt sah, um den Premier- Teile der Plakate, auf denen etwa Mahathir zu minister zu besänftigen. Najib wollte offenbar sehen war, herausgeschnitten bzw. geschwärzt. die Air-Asia-Aufsichtsrätin Rafidah Aziz, Minis- Außerdem war Bersatu vom Registrar of Socie- terin für Internationalen Handel und Industrie ties »provisorisch aufgelöst« (und erst nach den von 1987 bis 2008, daran hindern, ihn weiterhin Wahlen offiziell anerkannt) worden. Auch die PH zu attackieren. wurde erst am 16. Mai zugelassen. In der Oppo- sition hatten sich deshalb alle Koalitionspartner Neben Rafidah nahmen zwei weitere hochran- darauf geeinigt, das Symbol der PKR zu verwen- gige UMNO-Politiker aktiv am Wahlkampf der den. Ob solche Schikanen aber wirklich der BN Opposition teil: der Minister für Information, zu Gute kamen, ist zumindest fraglich. Kommunikation und Kultur von 2009 bis 2013, Rais Yatim, sowie der langjährige Berater Ma- Der Wahlkampf selbst verlief ohne nennens- hathirs und ehemalige Finanzminister Daim Zai- werte Zusammenstöße und scheinbar relativ nuddin. Zuletzt sprach sich auch Syed Hamid unspektakulär. Allerdings dürften sich politi- Albar, der in verschiedenen Kabinetten Maha- sche Stimmungen
Recommended publications
  • Perak's New Political Lineup
    FREE COPY June 1 - 15, 2018 PP 14252/10/2012(031136) 30 SEN FOR DELIVERY TO YOUR DOORSTEP – ISSUE ASK YOUR NEWSVENDOR 282 100,000 print readers Bimonthly 1,076,526 online hits (Apr) – verifiable PERAK’S NEW POLITICAL LINEUP Pic courtesy of The Star By Ili Aqilah ollowing the unexpected results of the 14th General Elections on May 9, the eventual lineup of Perak’s state government was duly announced. Pakatan Harapan state chief, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, took on the mantle of the 12th Menteri Besar replacing Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir officially on May 12. He Fwas sworn in by Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar. The executive councillors, ten in all, took their oath of office on May 19 at the same venue. Executive councillors are equivalent to ministers at the federal level. Each state is allowed to nominate between six and 10 executive councillors and this is specified in the state constitution. They are given specific portfolios and the number may vary from councillor to councillor. The ones responsible for finance, local government, environment, foreign investments and sports (not necessarily in that order) have a heavy burden to shoulder considering the significance of these portfolios. Continued on page 2 IPOH, An Historic City uring the 1880s, Ipoh wasn’t just known as the city of tin mining. In fact, it held Dvarious historical artefacts, remains and evidence of human civilisation, thousands of years old. Tambun Cave is a limestone cave, situated about 4km away from the main town centre of Ipoh.
    [Show full text]
  • Bernama 27/03/2019
    LIMA19 : 40 sophisticated ships anchor in Langkawi waters BERNAMA 27/03/2019 LANGKAWI, March 27 (Bernama) -- A parade of 40 local and international ships anchoring off Langkawi in conjunction with the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA ‘19) was very hypnotising and attracted the attention of the government administration’s delegation headed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Dr Mahathir and his delegation were taken aboard KD Perantau belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy for an hour-and-a-half and received the salutes from the crew of all the ships at Resorts World Langkawi here at the exhibition which was entering its second day today. Among the federal and state government delegates were the Minister of Defence Mohamad Sabu, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman and Menteri Besar of Kedah Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. They were all given the honour of seeing for themselves the greatness and sophistication of the ships, namely, 17 Royal Malaysian Navy ships, five Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) ships, MV Polaris from the Marine Department Malaysia, RV Discovery from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and 16 ships from 12 countries involved in the event. The 15th edition saw LIMA hosting commercial delegates from 32 countries and 406 defence and commercial companies with 200 international businesses. All their products and services would be exhibited during the five-day event, until March 30 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) and Resort World Langkawi (RWL). About 42,000 commercial visitors were expected to gather at LIMA ‘19, not only to see the latest products and services offered by the participants of the exhibition but also to explore the business potentials especially with companies based in Malaysia.
    [Show full text]
  • 23 Aug 2021 Daybreak
    Malaysia | August 23, 2021 Key Metrics Malaysia Daybreak | 23 August 2021 FBMKLCI Index 1,700 ▌What’s on the Table… 1,650 ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— 1,600 1,550 Strategy Note – UMNO reclaims the Prime Minister post 1,500 Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri from UMNO was picked as the 9th Prime Minister of 1,450 Malaysia He holds a slim majority in parliament and is likely to face a “vote of 1,400 confidence”. Neutral on this news as his appointment reflects continuity of most Aug-20 Oct-20 Dec-20 Feb-21 Apr-21 Jun-21 Aug-21 policies. ——————————————————————————— FBMKLCI Carlsberg Brewery (M) – Better days ahead from 4Q21F onwards 1,518.03 3.08pts 0.20% 1H21 net profit of RM112m (+24% yoy) was below expectations, as we expect AUG Future SEP Future 1516.5 - (0.36%) 1505 - (0.37%) weaker qoq results in 3Q21F due to prolonged closure of operations. In our view, ——————————————————————————— the worst is over for CAB, as we expect better beer demand with higher Gainers Losers Unchanged vaccination rates and gradual lifting of lockdown measures. Upgrade to Add from 491 415 473 ——————————————————————————— Hold. Our DCF-based TP is raised to RM24.70. Turnover Yinson Holdings Bhd – Looking beyond the FPSO PDB cancellation 3676.22m shares / RM1888.128m 3m avg volume traded 5268.52m shares Yinson has lost the golden opportunity for the FPSO PDB charter for the second 3m avg value traded RM3084.77m ——————————————————————————— time running; it was the only bidder on both occasions. This bad news plus the Regional Indices upcoming loss of shariah status by Nov may pressure the share price but we FBMKLCI FSSTI JCI SET HSI reiterate Add and our SOP-based TP of RM6.18.
    [Show full text]
  • THE UNREALIZED MAHATHIR-ANWAR TRANSITIONS Social Divides and Political Consequences
    THE UNREALIZED MAHATHIR-ANWAR TRANSITIONS Social Divides and Political Consequences Khoo Boo Teik TRENDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ISSN 0219-3213 TRS15/21s ISSUE ISBN 978-981-5011-00-5 30 Heng Mui Keng Terrace 15 Singapore 119614 http://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg 9 7 8 9 8 1 5 0 1 1 0 0 5 2021 21-J07781 00 Trends_2021-15 cover.indd 1 8/7/21 12:26 PM TRENDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 21-J07781 01 Trends_2021-15.indd 1 9/7/21 8:37 AM The ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (formerly Institute of Southeast Asian Studies) is an autonomous organization established in 1968. It is a regional centre dedicated to the study of socio-political, security, and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic environment. The Institute’s research programmes are grouped under Regional Economic Studies (RES), Regional Strategic and Political Studies (RSPS), and Regional Social and Cultural Studies (RSCS). The Institute is also home to the ASEAN Studies Centre (ASC), the Singapore APEC Study Centre and the Temasek History Research Centre (THRC). ISEAS Publishing, an established academic press, has issued more than 2,000 books and journals. It is the largest scholarly publisher of research about Southeast Asia from within the region. ISEAS Publishing works with many other academic and trade publishers and distributors to disseminate important research and analyses from and about Southeast Asia to the rest of the world. 21-J07781 01 Trends_2021-15.indd 2 9/7/21 8:37 AM THE UNREALIZED MAHATHIR-ANWAR TRANSITIONS Social Divides and Political Consequences Khoo Boo Teik ISSUE 15 2021 21-J07781 01 Trends_2021-15.indd 3 9/7/21 8:37 AM Published by: ISEAS Publishing 30 Heng Mui Keng Terrace Singapore 119614 [email protected] http://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg © 2021 ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Sektor Pelancongan Anggar Rugi RM105 Juta, Sektor Perniagaan
    Amanah: Anwar’s ‘wise decision’ reflects need to remove distractions Malaysia Today June 18, 2017 By Vanesha Shurentheran Salahuddin Ayub says he shares Anwar’s concern that PPBM’s proposition to occupy top two posts in Pakatan Harapan was worrying. PETALING JAYA: Amanah has lauded Anwar Ibrahim’s move not to offer himself as Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) prime ministerial candidate for the 14th general election (GE14), saying it showed the PKR de facto leader’s determination to remove distractions coming in the path of defeating the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN). Its deputy president Salahuddin Ayub said it was a wise decision as the opposition coalition needs to move forward instead of being weighed down by issues over who should be the prime minister if it wins the election due by the middle of next year. He said Anwar knows what is best for PH in any situation, including the recent scenario where PPBM apparently wanted to lead the coalition. “He has shed light on this for us, for PH to move forward and to forget about who will be the next prime minister,” Salahuddin told FMT. He said it is time for PH component parties to show their strength in unity and convince the people of their cooperation and capabilities. He also said he concurred with Anwar’s concern that PPBM’s proposition was worrying. Salahuddin said it was time for differences in the coalition to be set aside for the sake of the people. “We need to put aside all our differences and advance forward. The people want to know what we can offer to solve their problems,” he said.
    [Show full text]
  • The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Scandal: Exploring Malaysia's 2018 General Elections and the Case for Sovereign Wealth Funds
    Seattle Pacific University Digital Commons @ SPU Honors Projects University Scholars Spring 6-7-2021 The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Scandal: Exploring Malaysia's 2018 General Elections and the Case for Sovereign Wealth Funds Chea-Mun Tan Seattle Pacific University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/honorsprojects Part of the Economics Commons, and the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Tan, Chea-Mun, "The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Scandal: Exploring Malaysia's 2018 General Elections and the Case for Sovereign Wealth Funds" (2021). Honors Projects. 131. https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/honorsprojects/131 This Honors Project is brought to you for free and open access by the University Scholars at Digital Commons @ SPU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Projects by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ SPU. The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Scandal: Exploring Malaysia’s 2018 General Elections and the Case for Sovereign Wealth Funds by Chea-Mun Tan First Reader, Dr. Doug Downing Second Reader, Dr. Hau Nguyen A project submitted in partial fulfillMent of the requireMents of the University Scholars Honors Project Seattle Pacific University 2021 Tan 2 Abstract In 2015, the former PriMe Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, was accused of corruption, eMbezzleMent, and fraud of over $700 million USD. Low Taek Jho, the former financier of Malaysia, was also accused and dubbed the ‘mastermind’ of the 1MDB scandal. As one of the world’s largest financial scandals, this paper seeks to explore the political and economic iMplications of 1MDB through historical context and a critical assessMent of governance. Specifically, it will exaMine the economic and political agendas of former PriMe Ministers Najib Razak and Mahathir MohaMad.
    [Show full text]
  • Malaysian Prime Minister Hosted by HSBC at Second Belt and Road Forum
    News Release 30 April 2019 Malaysian Prime Minister hosted by HSBC at second Belt and Road Forum Peter Wong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, together with Stuart Milne, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Malaysia, hosted a meeting for a Malaysian government delegation led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia, with HSBC’s Chinese corporate clients. The meeting took place in Beijing on the sidelines of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, in which Mr. Wong represented HSBC. Dr. Mahathir together with the Malaysian Ministers met with Mr. Wong and executives from approximately 20 Chinese companies to discuss opportunities in Malaysia in relation to the Belt and Road Initiative. Also present at the meeting were Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mohamed Azmin Ali, Minister of Economic Affairs; Darell Leiking, Minister of International Trade and Industry; Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport; Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister of Housing and Local Government; Salahuddin Ayub, Minister of Agriculture and Agro- Based Industry; and Mukhriz Mahathir, Chief Minister of Kedah. Ends/more Media enquiries to: Marlene Kaur +603 2075 3351 [email protected] Joanne Wong +603 2075 6169 [email protected] About HSBC Malaysia HSBC's presence in Malaysia dates back to 1884 when the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (a company under the HSBC Group) established its first office in the country, on the island of Penang, with permission to issue currency notes. HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad was locally incorporated in 1984 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.
    [Show full text]
  • Malaysia's General Elections Amidst the Shadow of Re-Mahathirisation
    Kajian Malaysia, Vol. 32, Supp. 2, 2014, 1–24 MALAYSIA'S GENERAL ELECTIONS AMIDST THE SHADOW OF RE-MAHATHIRISATION 1* 2 Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid and Muhamad Takiyuddin Ismail 1School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang, Malaysia 2Centre of History, Politics and Strategy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia *Corresponding author: [email protected] This article discusses the phenomenon of re-Mahathirisation which engulfed the politics of Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and its main component party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Re- Mahathirisation refers to the increase in attachment towards the legacy of Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (1981–2003). Transpiring not long after Mahathir's relinquishment of official power, the process was seen as approaching a peak with BN-UMNO's campaign for the 13th General Elections (GE13) of May 2013. It was orchestrated especially by conservative elements in UMNO disillusioned with the political liberalisation began by his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2003–2009) and continued by Najib Razak. In line with an understanding of conservatism as characterised by resistance against radical change and by admiration of past values, re- Mahathirisation was employed by the BN-UMNO regime during the GE13 hustings to court the large pool of conservative-minded Malay voters. The successful dislodging of Abdullah Badawi from the party-cum-national leadership in 2009 signified a powerful return of Mahathirism to the foreground of UMNO and national politics. Although Najib Razak has pursued Abdullah's political liberalisation initiatives, he felt compelled to tolerate a rising public presence of Mahathir.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of Social Media in the Bersih Movement's Mobilisation
    School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry Personalised Communicative Ecologies: The role of social media in the Bersih movement’s mobilisation Ik Ying Ngu 0000-0001-6385-2831 This thesis is presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Of Curtin University January, 2021 DECLARATION “To the best of my knowledge and belief this thesis contains no material previously published by any other person except where due acknowledgement has been made. This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for any other degree or diploma in any university”. Human Ethics (For projects involving human participants/tissue, etc) The research presented and reported in this thesis was conducted in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) – updated March 2014. The proposed research study received human research ethics approval from the Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (EC00262); Approval Number #HRE2017-0273. Signature : Date :…1/2/2021… ABSTRACT This thesis examines how a social movement uses social media in mobilising individuals to engage in the development of electoral reform and democracy in Malaysia. The way individuals engage with social media in their everyday lives and what encourages them to communicate and participate provides continual challenges for social movement activists. My study uses Foth and Hearn’s (2007) notion of ecology as a foundation to explain the interdependencies of citizens, place, and technology in the context of a social movement. A communicative ecology model sees social media as an environment and argues that communication and information should not be studied alone because there are different people, media, activities, and relationships involved (Tacchi, 2004; Foth & Hearn, 2007; Strate, 2017).
    [Show full text]
  • SAWASDEE TOOKKHON! EMBASSY of MALAYSIA, BANGKOK SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2018 “This Message Is for All Malaysians Who Reside, Work and Study in Thailand
    SAWASDEE TOOKKHON! EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA, BANGKOK SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2018 “This message is for all Malaysians who reside, work and study in Thailand. December is not just a time to assess our accomplishments. It is also an opportunity to look ahead towards the future with hope and commitment. The task ahead in 2019 and beyond is not an easy one. But we have shown that we are a resilient people and we have demonstrated time and again that we achieve our best results when we work together. My best wishes to you and your families!’’ Embassy of Malaysia, Bangkok 2 September-December 2018 The reception was hosted by H.E. Dato’ Jojie Samuel, Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand. It was attended by around 530 guests from various backgrounds, including Thai government officials, businessmen & academics; diplomatic corps; and Malaysians working and residing in Bangkok. The reception began with a cultural dance performance by the dance troupe from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), followed by a speech and toast to the His Majesty King of Thailand and SPB YDP Agong by H.E. Dato’ Jojie Samuel. Embassy of Malaysia, Bangkok 3 September-December 2018 YAB Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a two-day visit to Thailand from 24 to 25 October 2018. YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir, who was YAB Prime Minister was met accompanied by his on arrival by Thailand's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Deputy Prime Minister, H.E Mohd Ali, had a packed Somkid Jatusripitak, Foreign Minister, YB Dato’ schedule throughout Saifuddin Abdullah, his stay in Bangkok. Ambassador of Malaysia to This was Tun's first Thailand, H.E Dato’ Jojie official visit to Thailand Samuel, and other since becoming Government Officials.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal-State Relations Under the Pakatan Harapan Government
    FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS UNDER THE PAKATAN HARAPAN GOVERNMENT Tricia Yeoh TRENDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ISSN 0219-3213 TRS12/20s ISSUE ISBN 978-9-814951-13-5 30 Heng Mui Keng Terrace 12 Singapore 119614 http://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg 9 7 8 9 8 1 4 9 5 1 1 3 5 2020 TRENDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 20-J07166 01 Trends_2020-12.indd 1 5/10/20 2:25 PM The ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (formerly Institute of Southeast Asian Studies) is an autonomous organization established in 1968. It is a regional centre dedicated to the study of socio-political, security, and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic environment. The Institute’s research programmes are grouped under Regional Economic Studies (RES), Regional Strategic and Political Studies (RSPS), and Regional Social and Cultural Studies (RSCS). The Institute is also home to the ASEAN Studies Centre (ASC), the Singapore APEC Study Centre and the Temasek History Research Centre (THRC). ISEAS Publishing, an established academic press, has issued more than 2,000 books and journals. It is the largest scholarly publisher of research about Southeast Asia from within the region. ISEAS Publishing works with many other academic and trade publishers and distributors to disseminate important research and analyses from and about Southeast Asia to the rest of the world. 20-J07166 01 Trends_2020-12.indd 2 5/10/20 2:25 PM FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONS UNDER THE PAKATAN HARAPAN GOVERNMENT Tricia Yeoh ISSUE 12 2020 20-J07166 01 Trends_2020-12.indd 3 5/10/20 2:25 PM Published by: ISEAS Publishing 30 Heng Mui Keng Terrace Singapore 119614 [email protected] http://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg © 2020 ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Pacnet Number 24 Mar
    Pacific Forum CSIS Honolulu, Hawaii PacNet Number 24 Mar. 8, 2016 Mahathir & Anwar vs Najib: how will it end? by Yang The second group is basically the rest – the anti-Najib Razali Kassim forces comprising some 50 of the country’s public luminaries such as Mahathir’s wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, DAP leader Lim Yang Razali Kassim ([email protected]) is a Senior Kit Siang, former MCA chief Ling Liong Sik, PKR deputy Fellow with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies leader and Selangor chief minister Azmin Ali, PAS stalwarts (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. This Husam Musa and Mustafa Ali, Pakatan Harapan leader Mat article originally appeared as a RSIS Commentary available Sabu, former cabinet ministers Daim Zainuddin and Zaid online here. Ibrahim, as well as civil society leaders like Bersih’s Maria The unthinkable is happening in Malaysian politics. It is Chin Abdullah. triggered by the deepest political crisis the country has ever The Mahathir-Anwar tag-team aside, the convergence of known, at the center of which is Prime Minister Najib Razak. forces pushing for systemic change and reform is equally Forced by a common desire to end the turmoil by unseating unprecedented. Indeed, Anwar’s embrace of his foe’s mission Najib, two bitter foes – former premier Mahathir Mohammad signals that Mahathir has reciprocated in support of Anwar’s and his jailed former deputy Anwar Ibrahim – have joined reform agenda, perhaps convinced that the entire system has hands in what has long been thought an impossible alliance. been compromised by Najib’s survival maneuvers.
    [Show full text]