Malaysia's 13th General Elections on May 5 will be the most
important -- and the most hard-fought -- in Malaysian history. The
United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and its coalition partners
have ruled the nation since its independence in 1957. But now, for the
first time in history, the Malaysian opposition is united and strong,
and it believes it has a real chance of coming to power.
![Malaysia's GE13 too close to call - former US ambassador]()
And also for the first time, UMNO, as well as those who have
benefited politically and economically from their connections to the
ruling party, fear that the voters might reject their party and the
system that have governed the country continuously for over five
decades.
Major differences
This is not simply a question of who wins. There are major differences between the ruling party's and the opposition's approaches to political and human rights, economic policy, and affirmative action. An opposition victory would bring change in many areas. The opposition promises to shift the focus of the government's affirmative action programs from a race-based to a needs-based system. It pledges it will crack down on the corruption and crony capitalism that is holding back the country's economic potential, and open up more political space by easing the restrictions on political freedom.
Fortunately for the United States, there are no appreciable differences in the foreign policies of either side. But what happens on May 5 will have a major impact on Malaysia's future political and economic direction, and that is why we in the outside world need to pay attention.
No matter who wins, a realignment of Malaysian politics is inevitable. Win or lose, there will be pressures on the current Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, to step down. Win or lose, UMNO will have to decide whether to "re-invent" itself, something it failed to do after the last elections in 2008, when it suffered major losses.
If it does decide to change, then the question is whether it will be in the direction of more openness, or whether it is towards appealing to the more chauvinistic Malay elements in its party. If it is the latter, which I believe is more likely, then we can expect to see more racial polarization in the country as well as continued emigration by minorities, and especially college-educated minorities, to Singapore and elsewhere.
Too close to call
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And also for the first time, UMNO, as well as those who have
benefited politically and economically from their connections to the
ruling party, fear that the voters might reject their party and the
system that have governed the country continuously for over five
decades.Major differences
This is not simply a question of who wins. There are major differences between the ruling party's and the opposition's approaches to political and human rights, economic policy, and affirmative action. An opposition victory would bring change in many areas. The opposition promises to shift the focus of the government's affirmative action programs from a race-based to a needs-based system. It pledges it will crack down on the corruption and crony capitalism that is holding back the country's economic potential, and open up more political space by easing the restrictions on political freedom.
Fortunately for the United States, there are no appreciable differences in the foreign policies of either side. But what happens on May 5 will have a major impact on Malaysia's future political and economic direction, and that is why we in the outside world need to pay attention.
No matter who wins, a realignment of Malaysian politics is inevitable. Win or lose, there will be pressures on the current Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak, to step down. Win or lose, UMNO will have to decide whether to "re-invent" itself, something it failed to do after the last elections in 2008, when it suffered major losses.
If it does decide to change, then the question is whether it will be in the direction of more openness, or whether it is towards appealing to the more chauvinistic Malay elements in its party. If it is the latter, which I believe is more likely, then we can expect to see more racial polarization in the country as well as continued emigration by minorities, and especially college-educated minorities, to Singapore and elsewhere.
Too close to call