This extract is from an article by Leslie Gomez who wrote for Channel News Asia on the changing dynamics in Malaysian politics. Read the extract below:
Ceremonial Heads
The dynamics of Malaysian politics are rapidly changing as tensions rise between the royal households and the Islamist party, PAS. Malaysia’s sultans were once intended to serve as ceremonial heads in the country’s constitutional monarchy, but since the 2018 general election, the monarchy has played a more direct role as peacemaker and final arbiter.
The 15th General Election (GE15) resulted in a hung parliament, and the political impasse was resolved with the direct intervention of the king, paving the way for Anwar’s coalition to form a government.
The attitudes of Malaysia’s dominant Muslim Malay population have also undergone a deep upheaval over the last three decades, marked by a steady shift towards greater conservatism around Islam. This shift has benefited PAS politically, as the party won 49 parliamentary seats in GE15, more than double of what it used to win in previous polls over the last two decades.
Confidence Among PAS Heads
However, the simmering tiff between PAS and the country’s royal households underscores the growing confidence among party leaders, and represents serious political challenges for Anwar and his largely multi-racial ruling coalition.
If the government takes action against PAS and its leaders, it could be construed as political persecution and upset the delicate balance in an already fractured Malay community.
But if the rulers take the lead in dealing with this issue, there will be further blurring of the lines of power between the politicians and the monarchy. The changing political landscape in Malaysia requires careful navigation and balance to maintain stability and harmony.
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