Malaysia political news
Here are some recent Malaysia political news:
Current Issues:
- Coronavirus pandemic: Malaysia has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 9,000 cases and 125 deaths reported as of March 2023. The government has implemented various measures to contain the spread of the virus, including lockdowns, travel restrictions, and vaccination efforts.
- Economic challenges: Malaysia's economy has been facing challenges, including a decline in exports, a rise in unemployment, and a widening trade deficit. The government has implemented various measures to stimulate the economy, including fiscal stimulus packages and monetary policy easing.
- Racial and religious tensions: Malaysia has a history of racial and religious tensions, with different ethnic and religious groups often having different political and social views. Recent incidents, such as the 2020 Sabah state election and the 2021 Kuala Lumpur city council election, have highlighted these tensions.
Recent Developments:
- 2022 Malaysian general election: The 2022 Malaysian general election was held on November 19, 2022. The election saw the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, led by Anwar Ibrahim, win the most seats in the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives), but fell short of a majority. The PH coalition formed a government with the support of other parties, with Anwar Ibrahim becoming the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
- Cabinet reshuffle: In December 2022, the Malaysian government underwent a cabinet reshuffle, with several new ministers appointed to key positions. The reshuffle was seen as a move to strengthen the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to address economic challenges.
- Anti-ICERD protests: In November 2020, protests were held across Malaysia against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which was seen as a threat to Malay rights and the country's racial harmony. The protests were led by Malay nationalist groups and were met with violence and arrests.
Key Political Figures:
- Anwar Ibrahim: Anwar Ibrahim is the current Prime Minister of Malaysia and the leader of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. He has been a key figure in Malaysian politics for over three decades and has served as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister.
- Muhyiddin Yassin: Muhyiddin Yassin is the former Prime Minister of Malaysia and the leader of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. He was appointed Prime Minister in March 2020 and served until August 2021.
- Mahathir Mohamad: Mahathir Mohamad is a former Prime Minister of Malaysia and the founder of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) party. He served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2020 and is known for his anti-corruption efforts and his criticism of the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Political Parties:
- Pakatan Harapan (PH): The PH coalition is a coalition of four parties: the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the People's Justice Party (PKR), the National Trust Party (AMANAH), and the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU). The coalition is led by Anwar Ibrahim and is the largest opposition party in Malaysia.
- Perikatan Nasional (PN): The PN coalition is a coalition of three parties: the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), and the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). The coalition is led by Muhyiddin Yassin and is the largest governing party in Malaysia.
- Barisan Nasional (BN): The BN coalition is a coalition of four parties: UMNO, MCA, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), and the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). The coalition is led by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and is the largest opposition party in Malaysia.