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Analysis: Malaysia takes stock
Icing on the cake: Dr Mahathir celebrates another win |
By Asia analyst Kieran Cooke
On the face of it, Malaysia's election result is a clear endorsement for the authoritarian rule of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his National Front coalition.
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Dr Mahathir's United Malays National Organisation or Umno, the main party in the Front coalition, is still clearly the dominant force in Malaysian political life.
 Malaysians voted for stability. They didn't want to try out a new government  |
| Malaysian businessman |
In terms of numbers, the National Front has in fact lost 18 parliamentary seats: some of Dr Mahathir's most senior supporters have been forced out of parliament.
Much of Dr Mahathir's powerful political armoury was aimed at securing the Umno and National Front vote in the so called heartland of the majority Malay community - the four mainly agricultural northern states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.
Body blow
The opposition Muslim party gained ground with the Malay community |
The victor in both states was the strongly Islamic Parti Islam SeMalaysia or Pas which also made big voter gains in Perlis and Dr Mahathir's home state of Kedah.
That swing to Pas is bound to cause deep unease within Umno, which has always seen itself as the party of the Malay majority.
In parallel state elections Pas also saw its support increase dramatically - at the last election in 1995 Pas only won 33 state seats. It now has 98.
Malay discontent
Government posters warned nervous Chinese about voting for the opposition |
Standing as head of the newly formed National Justice Party, Wan Azizah scored a resounding win in her husband's old constituency.
Umno can only interpret the swing to Pas in the Malay north and the victory of Wan Azizah as a sign that many Malays are increasingly discontented with the policies of Dr Mahathir's government and its treatment of Mr Anwar.
I think the Chinese appreciate what the government does for them, especially in overcoming the financial crisis |
| Dr Mahathir |
Though the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party, the main opposition party more or less retained its position in parliament, both its leader, Lim Kit Siang, and his deputy, Karpal Singh, lost their seats.
The Chinese community clearly responded to Dr Mahathir's warnings - constantly hammered home in the election campaign - that a vote for the opposition would be to vote for economic and social chaos.
Yet Dr Mahathir knows that the Chinese are not the key to political power - that still rests with the Malay community.
The National Front had several advantages going into this election: it was well financed and organised. The government machinery was used to promote its victory. The heavily government-influenced media was firmly behind the coalition.
Dr Mahathir is still in control in Malaysia. But there is no doubt that his hold on power has been weakened - the opposition feels the old ways are about to change.
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See also: |
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29 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Eyewitness: Malaysia's day of decision |
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12 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Analysis: Malaysia's electoral showdown |
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10 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Profile: Malaysia's strongman Mahathir |
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15 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Analysis: The challenge for Malaysia's reformers |
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22 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Wan Azizah: Malaysia's opposition torch-bearer |
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11 Nov 99 | Asia-Pacific |
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Party guide: Malaysia's opposition alliance |
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Office of the Malaysian Prime Minister |
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Malaysian Parliament |
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National Justice Party |
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Democratic Action Party |
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Umno |
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