Malaysia’s ruling coalition has effectively maintained control over three out of the six states that went to the polls on Saturday, August 12.
However, the official results underscore a growing support base for the conservative opposition, posing a considerable challenge to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, according to AsiaNews.
The electoral contests in Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah were widely perceived as a gauge of public sentiment towards Anwar’s leadership.
After last November’s general election failed to yield a clear majority, Anwar has been at the helm of a diverse coalition that has been steering the country.
While the outcome on paper preserves the pre-existing status quo, a more nuanced analysis of individual state results reveals a different narrative.
Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional, an opposition force with Islamic inclinations in the national parliament, has chipped away at the government’s influence in Selangor (the state encompassing Kuala Lumpur) and Penang.
Adding to the woes of the ruling coalition is the disappointing performance of UMNO, a party that has been central to Malaysia’s political landscape since the nation’s independence in 1957, having held power for decades.
In Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu—states predominantly populated by Malays—UMNO’s influence has diminished considerably. Out of the 108 contested seats by UMNO and its coalition partners from the National Front (Barisan Nasional), only 19 were secured.
While Anwar still commands a significant portion of seats in the national parliament, it’s worth considering the potential shift in the power dynamics within the coalition. UMNO, led by Ahmad Zahid and represented by several key ministers, finds itself in a recalibration of its role.
In response to these results, Anwar said the ruling coalition “will continue to work hard to serve the people in line with our desire to grow Malaysia”.
