Malaysia

The International Republican Institute (IRI) began working in Malaysia in 2002, initially supporting the development of public opinion research. Since then, IRI’s program has supported programs in four key areas: public opinion research, domestic election observation, political party strengthening and civic and voter education.

Currently, IRI is supporting civic and voter education projects at the grassroots level to increase the knowledge and understanding of the basic tenets of democracy and citizens’ rights and responsibilities. IRI is also working with political parties, providing trainings on issues such as public opinion research, message development and communication strategies.

Public Opinion Research

Through a domestic partner, IRI conducts national and regional polling and focus group discussions to understand the issues and ideas that most interest voters, including public sentiment about politics, the economy and social issues. IRI and its partner use public opinion research to increase the knowledge of political parties about voter concerns and beliefs and to assist parties in crafting strategies, platforms and messages.

Since 2007, IRI has supported national, state and electoral district polls and surveys that provide a picture of public sentiment in advance of general elections expected by March 2008. The poll results have provided critical information to political parties, academics and civil society organizations.

Since 2002, acceptance and understanding of public opinion research has increased in Malaysia, and IRI continues to support efforts to disseminate research results more broadly. IRI is currently placing strong emphasis on how political parties and politicians can use public opinion research to become more effective public representatives.

Election Monitoring

To ensure Malaysia’s elections are conducted in an open and transparent manner, IRI has supported domestic election monitoring efforts since the 2004 general elections. With IRI support, domestic monitors documented electoral irregularities from the 2004 elections including analyzing voter registration lists for non-existent addresses and false voters. In addition, IRI has supported domestic observation missions for three by-elections and one state assembly election.

Civic and Voter Education

In 2006, IRI expanded its program to include civic and voter education efforts to address the lack of information about democracy and human rights available to Malaysian citizens.

IRI supports activities to increase the availability and accessibility of accurate information on Malaysian human rights, while also building the capacity of grassroots organizations and activists to share knowledge with the public. IRI sponsors dialogues, forums and workshops to engage mainstream media on current issues, including the economy and racial and religious tensions. In addition, IRI supports voter education projects in advance of the next general elections that include public service announcements explaining voter rights and responsibilities.

Political Party Strengthening

To help parties prepare for the country’s next general elections, IRI works government and opposition parties on message development using public opinion research data.

In August 2007, IRI conducted a series of message development training workshops with Malaysia’s parties. During the workshops parties used findings from recent national and state polls, as well as trend line data, to underscore the significance of public opinion research for political messaging, particularly in advance of elections. IRI will continue the workshop series, focusing on political messaging and communications.

The Barisan Nasional coalition has governed Malaysia for the past 50 years. The coalition is currently comprised of 14 political parties led by the country’s dominant party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO).

Malaysia’s relatively stable economic growth often overshadows the state of democracy and human rights. Under the administration of former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia was plagued by significant levels of corruption. During the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, Anwar Ibrahim, the then-Deputy Prime Minister, disagreed with Mahathir's handling of the situation and implemented a number of economic policies that targeted government and business sector corruption. Mahathir subsequently removed Anwar from office for immoral and corrupt conduct. Anwar was jailed in 1998, later convicted on unsubstantiated charges, and he remained in jail until September 2004.

These events sparked the reformasi movement, which called for reforms and increased transparency in government, and rallied around Anwar as its de facto leader. To date, Anwar remains a key, if controversial, opposition player. Due to his corruption conviction, he is barred from running for political office until April 2008. Though the current term of Parliament does not expire until March 2009, there is widespread expectation that the Prime Minister will call early elections before Anwar is eligible to seek office.

On October 31, 2003, Mahathir stepped down after 22 years in power, naming Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi his successor. Four months later, in March 2004, general elections were called nine months early. With Anwar in jail and a disorganized opposition, Abdullah and the Barisan Nasional coalition won an overwhelming victory. Although marred by widely reported irregularities and a lack of preparation and cooperation by opposition parties, the results were seen as a validation of Abdullah’s leadership.

Under Abdullah, the situation in Malaysia has not shifted fundamentally toward greater democracy, and ethnic and religious tensions have increased. In comparison to the Mahathir era, the political landscape is somewhat more open, although fundamental legal and institutional reforms remain essential. UMNO, under the auspices of the Barisan Nasional coalition, continues to dominate government with Malay Muslim chauvinism. Non-Malay minorities, especially Chinese Malaysians, the largest non-Malay minority group, are increasingly concerned about the ability of Chinese parties in the Barisan Nasional coalition to represent their interests.

Desire for a stronger opposition has not translated into significantly increased support for opposition political parties. However, reform-minded political parties, politicians, and civic organizations are trying to overcome UMNO dominance by learning from past mistakes, working to increase general awareness of their goals, and examining alternative policy platforms that will appeal to a broader segment of Malaysian society.

Political Overview

Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi, United Malays National Organization

Type of Government: federal constitutional elective monarchy

Suffrage: universal, age 21

Elections Calendar

Program Overview

Focus of Program: political party strengthening, public opinion research and civic and voter education

Funding Source: National Endowment for Democracy