Malaysia flag Malaysia: Economic and Political Overview

The political framework of Malaysia

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders
King: Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (since 24 January 2019)
Prime Minister: Anwar bin Ibrahim (since November 2022)
Next Election Dates
House of Representatives: November 2027
Current Political Context
Malaysian politics saw significant shifts in recent years. The Barisan Nasional coalition, which had governed since 1957, lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 2018. The 2022 election resulted in a fragmented political landscape, with no coalition securing a clear majority. Following the King’s intervention, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) formed a coalition, and Anwar Ibrahim, after decades in opposition and a decade-long prison sentence on politically motivated charges, was appointed as the 10th Prime Minister. With the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition at its head, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim continued to lead the Unity Government in 2024. After years of unrest and fluctuating coalitions, the administration concentrated on bringing political stability. In an attempt to rebuild public confidence in the political system, Anwar's administration continued its efforts to combat corruption through various legal reforms, aiming to restore public trust in the political system.
Together with its neighbours Thailand and Indonesia, Malaysia was formally recognized as a BRICS ‘partner country’ in October 2024. This announcement followed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's confirmation in July that Malaysia had formally applied for BRICS membership. This action seems to be a component of Anwar Ibrahim's continuous plan to preserve Malaysia's independence and non-alignment from a geostrategic and economic standpoint. Additionally, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim aimed to maintain Malaysia's economic connections with China while also reaffirming its sovereignty, especially in the South China Sea, where the two countries share overlapping territorial claims.
Main Political Parties

The currently government relies on the support of the following parties/coalitions:

Alliance of Hope (PH) coalition:
- People's Justice Party (PKR): centre-left
- Democratic Action Party (DAP): centre-left, social democracy
- National Trust Party (AMANAH): centre-left, Islamic modernism
- The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO): multiracial political party based in Sabah

National Front (BN) coalition:
- United Malays National Organisation (UMNO): right-wing, known for being a major proponent of Malaysian nationalism
- Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC): right-wing
- Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA): right-wing, represents Malaysian Chinese contingency

Sarawak Parties (GPS) Alliance:
- Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB): right-wing
- PRS
- Progressive Democratic Party (PDP): regionalist
- Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP): centre

Sabah People's coalition (GRS), formed by three regionalist parties: the Sabah People's Ideas Party (PGRS), the Love Sabah Party (PCS), and the Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR).
The Heritage Party, the Social Democratic Harmony Party (KDM), and the Malaysian Nation Party (PBM) also support the government.

The opposition blocked is formed by the National Alliance (PN), comprising:
- Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS): Islamist, far-right
- Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU): centre-right, nationalism.

Executive Power
The head of state is the Paramount Ruler, commonly referred to as the King. The King is selected from nine hereditary rulers (called Sultans) of the Malay states to serve a five-year term; the other four states (which have titular Governors) do not participate in the selection. The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the party or coalition that commands a majority in the lower house. If no single party or coalition wins a majority, the King has the discretion to appoint a Prime Minister who he believes is most likely to command majority support in parliament. The Prime Minister is the head of Government and holds the executive powers which include implementation of the law and running the day-to-day affairs of the country. The Cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister from among the members of parliament with the consent of the Paramount Ruler.
Legislative Power
The legislature in Malaysia is bicameral. The parliament consists of the Senate (the upper house) with 70 seats, out of which 44 are appointed by the Paramount Ruler and 26 are appointed by the 13 state assemblies, to serve three-year terms; and the House of Representatives (the lower house) with 222 seats, its members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. The King can dissolve parliament on the advice of the Prime Minister. In general, more power is vested in the executive branch of government than in the legislative branch. Legislative power is divided between federal and state legislatures. Each state has its own Government, a cabinet with executive authority, and a legislature that deals with matters not reserved for the federal parliament.
 

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

Definition:

The world rankings, published annually, measures violations of press freedom worldwide. It reflects the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists, the media and digital citizens of each country and the means used by states to respect and uphold this freedom. Finally, a note and a position are assigned to each country. To compile this index, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) prepared a questionnaire incorporating the main criteria (44 in total) to assess the situation of press freedom in a given country. This questionnaire was sent to partner organisations,150 RWB correspondents, journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists. It includes every kind of direct attacks against journalists and digital citizens (murders, imprisonment, assault, threats, etc.) or against the media (censorship, confiscation, searches and harassment etc.).

World Rank:
119/180
 

Indicator of Political Freedom

Definition:

The Indicator of Political Freedom provides an annual evaluation of the state of freedom in a country as experienced by individuals. The survey measures freedom according to two broad categories: political rights and civil liberties. The ratings process is based on a checklist of 10 political rights questions (on Electoral Process, Political Pluralism and Participation, Functioning of Government) and 15 civil liberties questions (on Freedom of Expression, Belief, Associational and Organizational Rights, Rule of Law, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights). Scores are awarded to each of these questions on a scale of 0 to 4, where a score of 0 represents the smallest degree and 4 the greatest degree of rights or liberties present. The total score awarded to the political rights and civil liberties checklist determines the political rights and civil liberties rating. Each rating of 1 through 7, with 1 representing the highest and 7 the lowest level of freedom, corresponds to a range of total scores.

Ranking:
Partly Free
Political Freedom:
4/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House

 

Return to top

Any Comment About This Content? Report It to Us.

 

© eexpand, All Rights Reserved.
Latest Update: February 2025