Photo: MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images
Malaysia’s government coalition suffered a significant setback on July 6 during by-elections in Sungai Bakap, a constituency in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s home state of Penang. The Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), allied with the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, won the seat with a convincing 58.6 percent of the vote, leaving the ruling coalition reeling.
The outcome is a worrying sign for the government, which has struggled to balance its coalition partners’ competing interests and maintain its fragile grip on power. The loss is also seen as a blow to the government’s efforts to appeal to Malay voters, who have traditionally been a key demographic for the ruling coalition. The election result highlights the challenges faced by the government as it navigates complex alliances and conflicting loyalties.
Government pressure on opposition members of parliament by holding onto constituency allocations has led to the defection of six Bersatu MPs to Pakatan Harapan (PH). According to the landmark anti-hopping law that took effect in October 2023, these MPs should have vacated their seats following their dismissal from Bersatu. However, parliamentary speaker Johari Abdul ruled that the rogue MPs continue to be eligibile to serve in office. The decision has sparked a constitutional conundrum as “frog jumping” may ultimately undermine the anti-party hopping law. The controversial decision, which allows opposition lawmakers to retain their seats despite being expelled by their parties, is likely to encourage defecting MPs to prioritize their own interests over party loyalty, potentially destabilizing the government and challenging its very legitimacy.
United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) deputy president and Foreign Minister Mat Hasan has called for urgent revisions to the anti-hopping law to prevent further chaos.
In other news, former prime minister Najib Razak suffered a setback in his attempt to prove the existence of a document that, according to him and his defense team, would allow him to complete his sentence in house arrest. Najib was partially pardoned by Malaysia’s king in January, but his lawyers have argued that the pardon included an addendum that would enable him to finish his sentence at home. The court has rejected his demand, dealing a blow to Najib’s hopes for early release. Najib’s ongoing legal battles are a reminder of the country’s long history of political intrigue.
Sophie Lemière is an adjunct fellow (non-resident) with the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
