MPs reflect on 2008 political tsunami as nation eyes GE16 and state polls

Two lawmakers, who were elected for the first time in the “political tsunami” that swept away BN’s half-century of dominance after the 12th general election (GE12) on March 8, 2008, have reflected on their journeys and Malaysia’s future.

Ahead of looming state elections and the 16th general election (GE16), Iskandar Puteri MP Liew Chin Tong noted that a Malaysian born in 2008 will be eligible to vote this year.

“Time and tide wait for no man. For progressive politics to survive and thrive, we must pave the way for those born in the 2000s - the Gen Z - to rise and be purposeful, so that we can build our nation together,” said the deputy finance minister.

In a Facebook post marking the 18th anniversary of the 2008 tsunami, which saw Pakatan Rakyat win 82 parliamentary seats and form five state governments, Liew (above) recalled being elected for the first time as the MP for Bukit Bendera in Penang.

“I won the Bukit Bendera seat even when punters and observers thought I was just the opposition’s cannon fodder.

“The victory was not only sweet but also memorable because DAP and PKR also won enough state assembly seats to form the state government in Penang,” he said, referencing a takeover from the previous BN-led state government under Gerakan, which is now a Perikatan Nasional component party.

For the first time in history, BN lost the coalition’s two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

Then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi subsequently named his deputy, Najib Abdul Razak, as his successor to be the sixth prime minister.

BN dominance to political renewal

Liew reminisced about the first 10 years from 2008-2018, which culminated with Pakatan Harapan capturing Putrajaya, giving Dr Mahathir Mohamad his second stint as prime minister.

“In the first decade, we witnessed the end of BN's ‘one-party state’ in 2018.

“Authoritarianism failed to protect the old regime,” said Liew, noting that the political change was triggered by mass protests against the 1MDB scandal.

Liew won the Kluang parliamentary seat in GE13 (2013), but in GE14 (2018), he lost to MCA president Wee Ka Siong in a challenge for the Ayer Hitam seat.

The DAP politician then won the Perling state assembly seat in the 2022 state election, as well as his current Iskandar Puteri parliamentary seat in GE15.

“Yet, while the old order has faded, the new one is still struggling to find its footing.

“Malaysia is still undergoing ‘renovation’, a nation-building process, but I know that we are in a much better place, compared to 18 years ago, or even three years ago,” he said.

From fear to peaceful power transfers

Separately, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin also recalled his first stint as a lawmaker in 2008, when he was elected as the Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson.

“At that time, little did I know we had embarked on a tumultuous political journey,” said the investment, trade, and industry deputy minister.

He named Liew and a cohort of then-novice politicians who have since risen through the ranks: Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, and PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

“For the past 18 years, our political transition has been remarkable,” said Sim, who was elected to Parliament in 2013, 2018, and 2022, and now also serves as political secretary in the office of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

“From a 60-year, one-party-ruled, semi-authoritarian nation progressing into a (still work-in-progress) free and democratic nation.

“From the fear of another May 13 incident to the peaceful transfer of power and multiple changes of governments.

“These are success stories to be proud of and lessons to learn from,” he said.

Youth participation shapes nation’s future

Separately, Youth and Sports Minister Taufiq Johari told Malaysiakini that the implementation of Undi18 was an important step in expanding public participation, particularly in giving young people a direct voice in the country’s democratic process.

“In enabling them to have a voice, efforts to improve political understanding and education among young voters must go hand in hand, so as to help them make the best choices for the country,” the Sungai Petani MP said when contacted.

Born in 1996, Taufiq was only 12 years old in 2008, but he recalled the moment his father, Johari Abdul, won the Sungai Petani seat for the first time.

“What I witnessed was a wave of change, where the people wanted a better system. Several states that had previously been controlled by a single party also changed hands to parties within Pakatan Rakyat.

“So if you ask what I remember most, it was the wave of change among the people – a wave of people who wanted change.

“The moment I remember most clearly was when the victory was announced that night,” he said.

Looking forward, Taufiq said his ministry is committed to the broader agenda of empowering youth, as he hoped it would help them make choices that are best for themselves.

The current 15th Parliament will automatically dissolve on Dec 19, 2027, and so the latest date for GE16 will be on Feb 17, 2028.

However, speculation is rife that the national polls could be called as early as the second half of this year, to be held concurrently with several state elections: Malacca (next election by February 2027), Sarawak (April 2027), and Johor (June 2027).

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