What to expect as Malaysia's split polls leaves scramble to form govt

Malaysia's political leaders were scrambling to form a coalition government today after an election produced an unprecedented hung Parliament, with no group able to claim a majority.

Long-time opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin each said they could form a government with support from other parties, whom they did not identify.

Muhyiddin said he hoped to conclude talks by today afternoon, although negotiations could take days.

Here is what is happening and what to expect:

What happened?

Anwar's multi-ethnic Pakatan Harapan coalition won 82 seats in the lower house, short of the 112 needed for a majority but ahead of Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance with 73 and Ismail Sabri Yaakob's BN with 30.

Muhyiddin's alliance, which includes an Islamist party that has touted Shariah law for the Southeast Asian nation, emerged as a third major bloc, dividing votes more than had been expected.

It made inroads in strongholds of BN, whose Umno - long Malaysia's dominant political force - made its worst showing ever.

What next?

Analysts say the most likely government will again be a coalition of Muhyiddin's bloc, BN and another group. But a minority government is possible if neither Anwar nor Muhyiddin can cobble together a majority.

Muhyiddin, who said he is open to working with any party but Anwar's, said today he would discuss partnerships with regional parties in Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island.

Anwar did not say whom he would work with. In an interview with Reuters this month, he ruled out partnering with Muhyiddin's and Ismail Sabri's coalitions, citing fundamental differences.

Muhyiddin and Ismail Sabri's coalition prioritise interests of the ethnic-Malay majority, while Anwar’s team is multicultural. Race and religion are divisive issues in Malaysia, where the mostly Muslim Malays comprise the majority, with minorities of ethnic Chinese and Indians.

King's role

King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah could potentially pick the next prime minister.

The monarch has a largely ceremonial role, but the constitution empowers him to appoint as prime minister a lawmaker who His Majesty thinks can command a majority in parliament.

Malaysian kings - the post rotates among the sultans of the states - have rarely exercised that power, but they have become more influential in recent years amid the political wrangling.

In 2020, when the government of veteran leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad collapsed, Sultan Abdullah chose Muhyiddin as premier after interviewing all 222 lawmakers to decide who had majority support. When Muhyiddin's bloc also collapsed, he chose Ismail Sabri.

Muhyiddin said today he had received instructions from the Palace on forming a government but did not disclose what they were. Anwar said he would submit a letter to the king detailing his support.

Implications?

Political instability is expected to continue for Malaysia, which has seen three prime ministers in as many years due to power struggles.

The country is adapting to the diminishing power of Umno and the BN coalition, which had ruled uninterrupted for 60 years from independence until 2018.

The next coalition will not have a convincing majority and could be plagued with more infighting, hurting the economy.

Voters, frustrated with the instability, may bristle at a new government if it includes the losing parties.

- Reuters

COMMENT | The day after GE15, what comes next

Noh, Shahril step down from Umno posts, urge the same from Zahid

Ex-Bar presidents, others want Harapan to be given first shot at forming govt

Hung Parliament: What it means to the economy

GE15: When Mahathir and other giants were slain

Who are the GE15 winners?