MALAYSIA: An uncertain election … when it happens
The United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the second-largest party in the lower house, announced 28 March that it would be running in the next election independently of its main coalition partner, the Bersatu party of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. The decision was made u… Become a member to read the rest of this article […]
SOUTHEAST ASIA: Malaysia, Indonesia struggle to contain Covid spikes before CNY
In a note last December, we highlighted the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia as the countries to watch for possible post-holiday surges. Surprisingly, the Philippines appears to have avoided worsening the outbreak. However, the current movement and business restrictions in In… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MALAYSIA: Despite PM’s political weakness, an election may not be imminent
Since March, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s precarious stance within his own ruling National Alliance (PN) has been generating constant speculation as to when — not if — early elections could be held. Two factors now appear to be making the timing of a vote uncertain, which in… Become a member to read the rest […]
MALAYSIA: PM Muhyiddin survives, barely
The United Malays National Organization (UMNO) decided late Monday evening to continue supporting Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Over the weekend, the prime minister had asked the king to declare a state of emergency, which would have forestalled any attempt to bring down his… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MALAYSIA: Anwar’s PM bid derailed, but Muhyiddin is far from safe
A statement from United Malays National Organization (UMNO) leader Zahid Hamidi calling for a “political ceasefire” and announcing his party’s continued support for the current ruling coalition signal the unraveling of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s attempt to become prime m… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MALAYSIA: The Wait Goes On, but Maybe for Not Much Longer
Today’s meeting between Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysia’s king failed to resolve the question of whether the opposition leader has the support of a majority in the 222-seat parliament in his bid to unseat Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. According to a palace statement, Anwar only gav… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
MALAYSIA: Parsing Anwar’s claim that he has the numbers to become PM
In a surprise, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim announced midday today in Kuala Lumpur that he had the numbers to become prime minister and that he was seeking an audience with the Malaysian king. However, Anwar did not provide any details of his supposedly new majority, especiall… Become a member to read the rest of […]
MALAYSIA: A bad weekend for Muhyiddin and Mahathir
Two developments over the weekend seemed to confirm that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin remains vulnerable, not so much from the opposition, but from his own coalition allies. The status of the ruling coalition remains shaky, which sustains the chances of early elections. Muh… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MALAYSIA: Najib verdict helps PM, but election calculations still complicated
The court decision issued on 28 July finding former Prime Minister Najib Razak guilty of having diverted USD 9.87 from a subsidiary of state development fund 1MDB into his personal bank account may deliver some popular benefits to the current PM, Muhyiddin Yassin. Specifically, h… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
MALAYSIA: Parliamentary vote sustains possibility of year-end election
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was able to remove the parliamentary speaker chosen by the previous government by a vote of 111-109 in the 222-seat chamber, with one MP absent and the presiding officer abstaining (which makes the ruling coalition’s actual major… Become a member to read the rest of this article