2020 Malaysian

Political Crisis
Factions
• Pakatan Harapan (55.86%=121 seats)
• Barisan Nasional (35.59%=79 seats)
• Gugusan Sejahtera (8.10%=18 seats)
• Independent (0.44%=4 seats)
• 2018 General Election goes to PH with majority.
Pakatan
Harapan
(Alliance of
Hope)
Political faction endorsing transparency and
anti-corrupt. Supports and strives for
equality among races by pushing for more
equal rights for non-Bumiputeras (Chinese,
Indians and others)
Parties include
-Parti Keadilan Rakyat/People's Justice Party
-DAP/Democratic Action Party
-Amanah/National Trust Party
-Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia
(PPBM)/Malaysian United Indigenous Party
Parti Keadilan
Rakyat/People's
Justice Party
Formed in 2003, PKR is the largest and
most powerful party in the coalition.
Party led by his wife Dr Wan Azizah
Ismail, but Anwar Ibrahim is seen as the
party's leading figurehead, urging the
push against Mahathir-era BN rule
(Mahathir as 4th PM). Anwar was once a
Finance Minister under Mahathir.

One of the main founders of the then-

Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance) before
switching to Pakatan Harapan. PKR still
remains a key political faction driving
Pakatan Harapan's ambitions.
Democratic
Action Party
The oldest opposition faction in the coalition,
formed in 1965 and supporting the ideas of
socialist democracy and progressivism.
Seen as the “peacemaker” and often finding
themselves in between internal conflicts but
overall has remained totally loyal to the
Alliance's cause.
Although seen as a Chinese-ruled party, the
party practices multiracialism, just like PKR.
Lim Guan Eng is seen as the party figurehead
(and as Secretary General). Lim is a hard
fighter and he inherits his father's fighting
spirit.
Amanah/National
Trust Party
One of two youngest political parties under
PH, formed in 2015 and led by Mohammad
Sabu (Mat Sabu). Its ranks consisted of those
who were formally under Pan-Malaysian
Islamic Party (PAS). Unlike PAS whic
advocates Islamism in their policies, Amanah
seeks to advocate Islamic Modernism.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu
Malaysia
(PPBM/Bersatu)/Mala
ysian United
Indigenous Party
PPBM is the 2nd youngest party in the
coalition, formed in 2016 and founded by
Muhyiddin Yassin. The ranks consisted of
those who defected from UMNO (possibly
Muhyiddin's supporters). Mahathir returned
from retirement to engage in politics and
thus joined the ranks of PPBM as the oldest
veteran. However, Mahathir has proven to be
a more capable politician than Muhyiddin
and thus seen as the party's leading face.

Mahathir (left), Muhyiddin (right)

Barisan
Nasional/National
Alliance
The right-wing political faction founded in
1973. The faction advocates Ketuanan
Melayu (Malay Prominence), social
conservatism and economic liberalism. The
faction ruled Malaysia for over 60 years until
the 2018 general elections.
Parties include
-UMNO (United Malays National
Organisation)
-MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress)
-MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association)
*MCA, MIC and other gangs under BN will
not be stated because they are not of great
importance*
UMNO (United
Malays National
Organisation)
UMNO is the nation's biggest political party and has
been in the forefront of Malaysian politics for more
than 60 years. The party together with MIC and
MCA led the delegation to London to seek for
independence from British rule, which was granted
and Malaya gained its independence on 1957. Since
then, UMNO led the Alliance faction throughout the
majority of Malaysia's history. Most of the nation's
Prime Ministers are chosen from this very party.
UMNO stands its ground on preserving Malay
rights, endoring Ketuanan Melayu and has refused
to allow any other races within its ranks. This led to
controversial issues involving racism and corruption.
Currently, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi takes over as the
leader of UMNO and overall chairman of the
Alliance faction, a position left vacant after Najib
Razak (right) stepped down in 2018.
Parti Islam Se-
Malaysia
(PAS)/Malaysian
Islamic Party
PAS is an Islamic political party formed in 1951 as
Malaysian Islamic Organisation. It was a splinter
group from UMNO following UMNO's slightly liberal
and secular thinking. PAS practices Islamism and
most of their ideologies are linked to Islam, going as
far as to establish links with other controversial
Islamic movements in the region and also globally
(especially the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt).
PAS joined PKR and DAP to form Pakatan Rakyat
(People's Alliance).However, following the death of
Nik Aziz, who was more understanding of the cause
of the People's Alliance, PAS's new leadership sought
to pursue its longstanding agenda of introducing laws
that are influenced by Islamic teachings, and thus PAS
was removed from the Alliance and the Alliance
broke down (and reformed back to Pakatan Harapan).
PAS now rejoined its former hosts UMNO in a mutual
alliance to defend Islam.
THE CRISIS
Mahathir and
Anwar
Mahathir and Anwar's relationship came a
long way but now became crucial elements
to the ongoing events. Mahathir returned to
premiership following the victory in 2018
with promise that the premiership will be
handed over to Anwar within two years time.
Mahathir and
PPBM
Economics Minister Azmin Ali (from PKR) and
members of PPBM decided to form a new
government under UMNO and PAS. This led
to disagreements between Mahathir and his
own party (23/2), as this violates the promise
to hand over power to Anwar. Mahathir took
the drastic step to quit his post on 24/2.
*Azmin (far right) is one of Mahathir's
“protege's” before his allegiance switched to
Anwar. However, there is an uneasy
relationship between Anwar and Azmin, and
over the years, the two personas fought for
dominance within PKR. After Mahathir
stepped down as the Prime Minister, Azmin
and 11 supporters were axed from PKR for
the betrayal*
Mahathir and
Unity Government
Idea
Mahathir came up with the idea of forming a
unity government as a means to remove
political divides and encourage corporation
between the opposition and the ruling
parties. However, Mahathir's Unity
Government project failed after DAP refused
to support his idea, as the Unity Government
will be ruled and formed by Mahathir alone
without the consultation of relevant parties.
The move shattered one of Mahathir's
backup plans as the remaining three coalition
(DAP, PKR and Amanah) voiced their support
to Anwar to be the new Prime Minister on
the 25/2.
Mahathir and
Muhyiddin
Muhyiddin was seen as a neutral person in
the crisis, doing what was necessary by
pulling PPBM out of Pakatan Harapan once
Mahathir stepped down. However, this move
gave Muhyiddin a free hand as he now
commands a majority of his party's members
and totally free from control from Mahathir
following Mahathir's stepping down from
premiership and his resignation from party
duties.
Under Muhyiddin, his majority of supporters
switched sides to Barisan Nasional, including
Azmin, while Mahathir and 5 other members
of the party stayed with Pakatan Harapan.
PPBM is effectively split into two.
Numbers Game
• Mahathir said that he would agree to work with Muhyiddin following the
breakdown of his masterplan. PPBM even refused to accept his resignation
from the party and this meant that Mahathir's words still matter as he was
elevated to the post of Chairman. Following this ruse, the majority of PPBM
made use of Mahathir's words to switch their support to Muhyiddin.
• Mahathir however never said that he agreed for Muhyiddin to become the
Prime Minister and soon worked around the clock to gather as much
supporters as he can. However, the King, after being consulted and had
interviewed all relevant member of Parliament, decided that Muhyiddin had
the “majority” support. Mahathir refuted by stating (and even showing the
complete list) of 114 members of parliament.