It remains to be seen whether Malaysia will continue on its historic path of avoiding ethnic conflict, promoting economic growth, and allowing political choice, albeit limited choice.
During 2004, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi faced the difficult challenge of carving out his own brand of leadership, maintaining economic competitiveness, and redefining Malaysia abroad. This article assesses his success and argues that Abdullah has created a new identity but ironically made himself more politically vulnerable.
Prominent scholars across the political divide and academic disciplines analyse how the dominant political parties in Malaysia and Singapore, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the People's Action Party (PAP), have stayed in power. With a focus on developments in the last decade and the tenures of Prime Ministers Najib Tun Razak and Lee Hsien Loong, the authors offer a range of explanations for how these regimes have remained politically resilient
UMNO, from hidup Melayu to Ketuanan Melayu / John Funston -- UMNO, then, now--and always? / Clive Kessler -- From Ketuanan Melayu to Ketuanan Islam, UMNO and the Malaysian Chinese / James Chin -- Malaysia's fallen hero, UMNO's weakening political legitimacy / Bridget Welsh
In coming years, 9 May will be regarded a watershed moment in Malaysia's political history; on the same level as the 13 May 1969 race riots. After 61 years of uninterrupted rule by the Malayan Alliance, and its successor, Barisan Nasional (BN), the governing coalition dominated by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and led by Malaysia's sixth prime minister Najib Tun Razak lost the 14th General Election. In a devastating defeat, BN lost its majority in the national parliament and only retained two of the 12 state governments contested. BN also recorded its lowest share of the popular vote, capturing only 33.8 per cent (a sharp drop of 13.6 per cent). (JCSA/GIGA)