Turning point in Malaysia: Will the ruling coalition finally lose power?
Ahead of Malaysia's May 5 general election, John Mallott, former U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia and one of the foremost experts on the Asian country's politics, will analyze the forces at play that could make the polls a historic turning point for this significant U.S. trading partner and military ally.
He will speak at a National Press Club Newsmaker event on Wednesday, April 24, at 2 p.m. in the NPC's Zenger Room.
Disenchantment with Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, the growing influence of online media and an explosion in the number of young voters -- 20 percent of the electorate is under 30 and eligible to vote for the first time -- could propel the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition to victory.
While the opposition currently enjoys a slight lead in national polls and a dominant position in online media, the ruling coalition controls the mainstream media and has prevailed in all 12 previous elections. Concerns about electoral fraud are high – international observer delegations have routinely criticized Malaysia’s Election Commission for its handling of previous elections.
The ruling coalition has been plagued by a series of high-profile corruption cases and widespread criticism for poor handling of race relations, including requiring non-Muslims to abide by strict statutes of Muslim law. The opposition coalition controls five of Malaysia’s 14 states and territories and has established a record of building surplus budgets, attracting foreign investment, improving social services and promoting equal citizenship rights for all ethnic groups. But it has also been hampered by internal conflicts over application of Islamic law.
Some observers maintain that a change in government would be destabilizing for Malaysia, while others contend it is crucial for bringing about the reforms necessary for Malaysia to function effectively as a pluralistic society in a globalized world.
Contact: Peter Hickman, NCP Newsmakers Host
301-367-7711 (c), 301-530-1210 (t), [email protected]