n Electoral Evolution
Malaysia obtained independence from the British in 1963. For the first two years of its existence, Malaysia was united with Singapore under the Malaya Federation. Singapore soon opted out of the federation in 1965 to form its own country. Malaysia had held elections before achieving independence and separation in both 1959 and 1964. Their first election held after dissolution of the federation was in 1969. Since then, Malaysia has held elections every four to five years.
The Barisan Nasional coalition (National Front or BN) has won every election since 1974.2 The biggest party in the coalition, the United Malay National Organization (UMNO), has generated all prime ministers since independence. Current Prime Minister and head of UMNO Najib Tun Razak recently replaced Abdullah Badawi, who ruled from 2003 to 2009.
In recent years, the BN has faced greater challenges in continuing 39 years of unbroken rule. Many observers believe the upcoming election could be a historic regime change in Malaysia. Some have called it the most hotly-contested in Malaysian history.3
The biggest opposition group to the BN is the Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance/PR). This coalition consists of three political parties: the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People’s Justice Party/PKR), the Parti Tindakan Demokratik (Democratic Action Party/PTD) and Parti Islam se-Malaysia (Pan-Islamic Malaysian Party/PAS). Anwar Ibrahim of PKR is currently considered the spokesperson for the opposition.