Next Malaysian general election

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Next Malaysian general election
← 2018 On or before July 2023 (2023-07)
All 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat
112 seats needed for a majority
  Anwar Ibrahim (cropped further).png Muhyiddin Yassin (51087589446) (cropped).jpg Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.png
Leader Anwar Ibrahim Muhyiddin Yassin Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Party PKR BERSATU UMNO
Alliance Pakatan Harapan Perikatan Nasional Barisan Nasional
Leader since 15 October 2018 23 February 2020 30 June 2018
Leader's seat Port Dickson Pagoh
(Gambir) 		Bagan Datuk
Last election 100 seats, 41.29%[nb 2] New[nb 3] 58 seats, 27.79%[nb 1]
Current seats 90 51 42
Seats needed Increase 22 Increase 61 Increase 70
  Abang Johari Openg in 2021 (cropped).jpg YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd. Shafie Haji Apdal.jpg Mahathir Mohamad in 18th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement (cropped).jpg
Leader Abang Johari Openg Shafie Apdal Mahathir Mohamad
Party PBB WARISAN PEJUANG
Alliance Gabungan Parti Sarawak Electoral pact with MUDA and PEJUANG Electoral pact with WARISAN and MUDA
Leader since 13 January 2017 17 October 2016 12 August 2020
Leader's seat Gedong Semporna
(Senallang) 		Langkawi
Last election 19 seats, 3.82%[nb 4] 8 seats, 2.32% New
Current seats 18 7 4
Seats needed N/A[nb 5] Increase 105 Increase 108
  Wong Soon Koh.jpg Sabah Malaysia Maximus-Johnity-Ongkili-02.jpg Syed Saddiq (cropped).jpg
Leader Wong Soon Koh Maximus Ongkili Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman
Party PSB PBS MUDA
Alliance – – Electoral pact with WARISAN and PEJUANG
Leader since 2015 24 September 2018 17 September 2020
Leader's seat Bawang Assan Kota Marudu Muar
Last election Did not contest 1 seat, 0.48% New
Current seats 2 1 1
Seats needed N/A[nb 6] N/A[nb 7] Increase 111
Malaysia parliament blank map 2018.svg
Incumbent Prime Minister

Ismail Sabri Yaakob
BN



The next Malaysian general election, formally the 15th Malaysian general election, is scheduled to be held on or before July 2023 or in two months time to elect the members of the Dewan Rakyat in the 15th Parliament of Malaysia. All 222 seats will be up for election, presuming no constituencies are added or removed in a redistribution. As the 14th Parliament first sat on 16 July 2018,[1] it will automatically be dissolved on June 2023 if not dissolved earlier. Traditionally, elections for all state legislatures (except Sarawak's) are also held concurrently.

The prospect of an early federal election remains high due to the ongoing political crisis.[2][3] As the states can dissolve their legislatures independently from Parliament, it is unclear which (if any) states will concurrently hold elections for their legislatures if Parliament is dissolved early.

Background[]

Previous election[]

Main article: 2018 Malaysian general election
Name Member (with seat) Ideology Leader(s) 2018 result
Votes (%) Seats State Seats
PH Pakatan Harapan
Alliance of Hope 		PKR · DAP · AMANAH (quitted BERSATU) Reformism / Progressivism Dr. Mahathir Mohamad 45.68
113 / 222
226 / 505
BN Barisan Nasional
National Front 		UMNO · MCA · MIC · PBRS (quitted PBB · PRS · PDP · SUPP · PBS · UPKO) National conservatism Mohd. Najib Abdul Razak 33.77
79 / 222
166 / 505
GS Gagasan Sejahtera
Ideas of Prosperity 		PAS Islamic conservatism Abdul Hadi Awang 16.90
18 / 222
90 / 505
WARISAN Sabah Heritage Party
Parti Warisan Sabah 		Allied with Pakatan Harapan Regionalism Mohd. Shafie Apdal 2.32
8 / 222
21 / 505
GBS United Alliance
Gabungan Bersatu Sabah 		N/A Regionalism Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan 0.18
1 / 222
3 / 505
Independents and Other Parties – – 1.15
3 / 222
0 / 505

The 2018 federal election resulted in a change in government for the first time in Malaysian history since direct elections were first held in 1955. Pakatan Harapan, then a centre-left coalition between four parties, won 113 seats in the Dewan Rakyat (a two-seat majority) against the right-wing Barisan Nasional coalition, which won 79 seats. Pakatan Harapan entered government at the federal level with support from the Sabah Heritage Party. The concurrent state elections also saw Pakatan Harapan winning a majority for the first time in Johor, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan. Hung parliaments were recorded in Kedah, Perak and Sabah, but changes in party membership of the legislators after the election allowed Pakatan Harapan (or the Sabah Heritage Party in Sabah) to enter government in these states as well.

Significant events[]

In July 2019, the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019, which contained provisions to lower the voting age to 18 and allow for the automatic registration of voters, was enacted by Parliament.[4] However, that provision is not yet in effect and is awaiting a proclamation by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Election Commission announced in June 2020 that preparations for these changes will be ready by July 2021.[5]

The legitimacy of the redelineation of electoral boundaries for the entire country in 2018 was in 2019 under review by the Election Commission,[6] which is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Department. The redelineation was approved 2 months before the previous election, which saw enormous malapportionment between constituencies. For example, in Selangor, Sabak Bernam has approximately 40,000 voters but Bangi contains 180,000 voters. However, any early redistribution would require a constitutional amendment, which necessitates a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.[7] The status of the review is currently unknown due to the change in government during the political crisis described below.

2020–21 political crisis[]

Main article: 2020–21 Malaysian political crisis

In late February 2020, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned, creating a power vacuum in the executive branch. A majority of the 32 members of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party withdrew from the governing PH-led coalition government, causing it to lose its majority in the Dewan Rakyat, and partnered with the Barisan Nasional. On 1 March, Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed Prime Minister, and a Malaysian United Indigenous Party and Barisan Nasional-led minority government was formed. On 20 August, Ismail Sabri Yaakob was appointed Prime Minister, after the resignation of Muhyiddin.

Electoral system[]

Elections in Malaysia are conducted at the federal and state levels. Federal elections elect members of the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of Parliament, while state elections in each of the 13 states elect members of their respective state legislative assembly. As Malaysia follows the Westminster system of government, the head of government (Prime Minister at the federal level and the Menteri Besar/Chief Ministers at the state level) is the person who commands the confidence of the majority of members in the respective legislature – this is normally the leader of the party or coalition with the majority of seats in the legislature.

The Dewan Rakyat consists of 222 members, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), that are elected for five-year terms. Each MP is elected from a single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post voting system. If one party obtains a majority of seats, then that party is entitled to form the government, with its leader becoming the Prime Minister. In the event of a hung parliament, where no single party obtains the majority of seats, the government may still form through a coalition or a confidence and supply agreement with other parties. In practice, coalitions and alliances in Malaysia generally persist between elections, and member parties do not normally contest for the same seats.

In July 2019, the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019 was enacted that provided for the voting age to be lowered to 18 and for automatic registration of voters.[4] The voting age was previously 21[8][9] although the age of majority in the country was 18.[10] Malaysia does not currently practice compulsory voting and automatic voter registration. A provision to implement automatic voter registration was included in the 2019 constitutional amendment but is awaiting a proclamation by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Election Commission of Malaysia, which conducts federal and state elections, stated in June 2020 that preparations for these changes will be ready by July 2021.[5] The Election Commission is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Department.

Timeline[]

Dissolution of parliament[]

The 14th Parliament of Malaysia will automatically dissolve on 16 July 2023. The first meeting of the first session of the 14th Parliament of Malaysia was held on 16 July 2018.[11]

The Constitution of Malaysia requires that a general election to be held in the fifth calendar year after the first sitting unless it is dissolved earlier by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong due to a motion of no confidence, loss of supply or at the request of the Prime Minister.

Dissolution of state legislatures[]

While any state may dissolve its legislature independently of Parliament, most of them traditionally dissolve at around the same time as Parliament such that federal and state elections are held simultaneously. In accordance with Malaysian law, Parliament as well as the legislative assemblies of each state would automatically dissolve on the fifth anniversary of the first sitting of a term, unless dissolved prior to that date by the relevant heads of state on the advice of their respective heads of government. Elections must be held within sixty days of a dissolution.

Below are the dates of which the legislature of each state would automatically dissolve:

Legislature (and term number) Term start Refs Term end
(on or before) 		Next election day
(on or before)
Selangor Selangor (14th) 26 June 2018 [12] 26 June 2023 25 August 2023
Johor Johor (15th) TBA [13] TBA 23 March 2022
Kelantan Kelantan (14th) 28 June 2018 [14] 28 June 2023 27 August 2023
Terengganu Terengganu (14th) 1 July 2018 [15] 1 July 2023 30 August 2023
Negeri Sembilan Negeri Sembilan (14th) 2 July 2018 [16] 2 July 2023 31 August 2023
Pahang Pahang (14th) 2 July 2018 [17] 2 July 2023 31 August 2023
Perak Perak (14th) 3 July 2018 [18] 3 July 2023 1 September 2023
Kedah Kedah (14th) 4 July 2018 [19] 4 July 2023 2 September 2023
Perlis Perlis (14th) 20 July 2018 [20] 20 July 2023 18 September 2023
Penang Penang (14th) 2 August 2018 [21] 2 August 2023 1 October 2023
Sabah Sabah (16th) 9 October 2020 [22] 9 October 2025 8 December 2025
Malacca Malacca (15th) 27 December 2021 [23] 27 December 2026 25 February 2027
Sarawak Sarawak (19th) 19 December 2021 19 December 2026 18 February 2027

Pre-nomination events[]

The election would be the first time Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional use their own respective logos. DAP announced the intention to use PH logo for West Malaysia seats on 14 November 2021.[24] PN component parties in Pahang (Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan) has decided to contest on all parliamentary and state assembly seats there on 28 November 2021.[25] On 11 December 2021, PBRS announced that they will contest in 3 seats in Sabah under Barisan Nasional.[26]

On 15 December 2021, a group of independent activists calling themselves Gerak Independent announced their intention to run in the election in no more than 10 seats.[27]

The Heritage Party (WARISAN), previously an ally of Pakatan Harapan in the 2018 general election, decided on 24 January 2021 to contest all parliamentary and assembly seats in Penang.[28]


Incumbents not seeking re-election[]

The following members of the 14th Parliament are not contesting the upcoming election.

No. Federal Constituency Departing MP Party Date confirmed First elected Reason
P139 Jasin Ahmad Hamzah BN (UMNO) 20 December 2020 2008 Not seeking re-election
P061 Padang Rengas Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz BN (UMNO) 28 August 2021 1995 Not seeking re-election
P032 Gua Musang Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah BN (UMNO) 29 November 2021 1974 Not seeking re-election

Opinion polling[]

Coalition/Alliances[]

Fieldwork date(s) Polling firm Sample size PH PN + BN Ind Lead
15 Jan – 25 Feb 2020 Emir Research[29] 2,002 30 52[nb 8] – 22
5 Sep – 10 Oct 2019 Emir Research[30] 1,992 42 39[nb 9] 17 3
9 May 2018 General election N/A 45.7 50.6[nb 10] 0.6 4.9

See also[]

  • List of elections in 2023

Notes[]

  1. ^ Total seats and vote share of the parties currently in Barisan Nasional (UMNO, MCA, MIC and PBRS). The total seats and vote share of Barisan Nasional as it was in the last election was 79 seats and 33.77%, respectively.
  2. ^ Excludes the Malaysian United Indigenous Party, which was part of the coalition in the 2018 election but subsequently left and later joined Perikatan Nasional in 2020. The original number of seats and vote share held by Pakatan Harapan as it was in 2018 is 113 seats and 45.68%, respectively.
  3. ^ New alliance of parties formed in 2020. The total vote share of BERSATU, PAS, STAR and SAPP in the last election is 23%.
  4. ^ New coalition formed in 2018. These numbers are the total seats and vote share of PBB, PRS, SUPP and PDP in the last election. All parties were previously part of Barisan Nasional.
  5. ^ The component parties of Gabungan Parti Sarawak does not field candidates outside of Sarawak (31 seats) and therefore cannot obtain a majority in parliament.
  6. ^ Parti Sarawak Bersatu does not field candidates outside of Sarawak (31 seats) and therefore cannot obtain a majority in parliament.
  7. ^ The United Sabah Party does not field candidates outside of Sabah (25 seats) and therefore cannot obtain a majority in parliament.
  8. ^ UMNO and PAS.
  9. ^ Muafakat Nasional (UMNO and PAS).
  10. ^ Barisan Nasional and PAS.

References[]

  1. ^ "Proclamation - Summon the Parliament [P.U. (A) 139/2018]" (PDF). Attorney General's Chamber of Malaysia. 13 June 2018.
  2. ^ Teoh, Shannon (12 June 2020). "Malaysia PM Muhyiddin Yassin looks to snap polls to end battle with predecessor Mahathir". The Straits Times (in en-SG). Retrieved 13 June 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  3. ^ Soo, Wern Jun (12 June 2020). "Report: Snap polls talk gains momentum in Malaysia | Malay Mail". Malay Mail (in en-MY). Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  4. ^ a b Martin Carvalho; Hemananthani Sivanandam; Rahimy Rahim; Tarrence Tan (16 July 2019). "Dewan Rakyat passes Bill to amend Federal Constitution to lower voting age to 18". The Star. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Kenyataan media - Pendaftaran pengundi 18 tahun" (PDF). Election Commission of Malaysia (in ms-MY). 7 June 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  6. ^ "EC to review redelineation of electoral boundaries approved last year". Malay Mail. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Next redelineation exercise only due in 2026, says Hanipa". The Star Online. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  8. ^ Nandini Balakrishnan (28 September 2016). "Here's The Fastest Way To Register As A Voter Before The Next Elections". Says.com. Retrieved 9 May 2018. Qualifications needed to register as a voter in Malaysia:
    a) A Malaysian citizen above the age of 21.
    b) A resident of an election constituency.
    c) Is not disqualified by any laws.
  9. ^ "A Young Malaysian's Guide to the Election". Juice. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018. You are not eligible to register if you are:
    a) on the qualifying date, you are serving jail term or detained as a person of unsound mind.
    b) before the qualifying date, you have been convicted or sentenced to death or serving a jail term of more than 12 months and you're still liable on the qualifying date.
    c) found guilty under the Election Offences Act, 1954.
    d) have a foreign citizenship (Malaysian citizenship law does not permit a Malaysian to carry dual citizenship).
  10. ^ "Age of Majority Act 1971". The Commissioner of Law Revision, Malaysia. 22 April 1971. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Proclamation - Summon the Parliament [P.U. (A) 139/2018]" (PDF). Attorney General's Chamber of Malaysia. 13 June 2018.
  12. ^ "All but one of 56 Selangor assemblymen sworn in". theSundaily. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  13. ^ "56 Johor assemblyman sworn in today". theSundaily. 29 June 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Abdullah appointed as Kelantan State Assembly Speaker". theSundaily. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  15. ^ "32 Terengganu assemblymen sworn in". Malay Mail. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  16. ^ "Pengerusi Amanah negeri angkat sumpah Speaker DUN". Utusan Online. 2 July 2018. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  17. ^ "Forty Pahang reps sworn in". Malaysiakini. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  18. ^ "Ngeh appointed Perak state assembly speaker". Malaysiakini. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Kedah gets a Speaker at last". The Star Online. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  20. ^ "Hamdan re-elected as Speaker of Perlis Legislative Assembly". The Star Online. 21 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Law Choo Kiang elected Penang speaker for second term". The Malaysian Times. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  22. ^ Doksil, Mariah (10 October 2020). "21 Warisan assemblymen undergo RTK Antigen test". The Borneo Post (in en-MY). Kota Kinabalu. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  23. ^ www.astroawani.com https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/persidangan-pertama-dun-melaka-ke15-ditetapkan-27-disember-335594. Retrieved 13 December 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. ^ "DAP to use Pakatan logo for GE15 in peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak branches free to decide | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "Perikatan Nasional to contest in all 14 parliament, 42 state seats in Pahang in GE15". The Star. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  26. ^ "PBRS to contest in Penampang, Moyog, Kepayan | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ "Not here to play: Siti Kasim to make political debut in GE15". The Vibes. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  28. ^ "Warisan to contest all seats in Penang in GE15". www.msn.com. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  29. ^ @AsiaElects (24 July 2020). "Malaysia, EMIR Research poll: 'UMNO/PAS'-Conservative/Islamist: 53% (+13) PH-Centrist: 30% (-12)..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ @AsiaElects (29 December 2019). "Malaysia, EMIR Research poll: PH-Centrist: 42% (-6) MN-Conservative: 39% (-12) Independents: 17% (+16)..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020 – via Twitter.

External links[]

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