2018 Malaysian general election explained

Country:Malaysia
Type:parliamentary
Previous Election:2013 Malaysian general election
Previous Year:2013
Outgoing Members:Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 13th Malaysian Parliament
Elected Members:Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 14th Malaysian Parliament
Next Election:2022 Malaysian general election
Next Year:2022
Seats For Election:All 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat
Majority Seats:112
Registered:14,940,624
Turnout:82.32%
Image1:Mahathir Mohamad (cropped 4to3 portrait).jpg
Colour1:ED1C24
Leader1:Mahathir Mohamad
Party1:BERSATU
Alliance1:Pakatan Harapan
Last Election1:36.10%, 68 seats
Seats1:113
Seat Change1: 45
Popular Vote1:5,518,638
Percentage1:45.67%
Swing1:9.57
Colour2:000080
Leader2:Najib Razak
Party2:United Malays National Organisation
Alliance2:Barisan Nasional
Last Election2:47.38%, 133 seats
Seats2:79
Seat Change2: 54
Popular Vote2:4,080,797
Percentage2:33.77%
Swing2:13.61
Image3:File:Abdul Hadi Awang 2021.jpg
Colour3:008900
Leader3:Abdul Hadi Awang
Party3:PAS
Alliance3:Gagasan Sejahtera
Last Election3:15.07%, 21 seats
Seats3:18
Seat Change3: 3
Popular Vote3:2,041,186
Percentage3:16.89%
Swing3: 1.83
Image4:Mohd_Shafie_Apdal_in_2023.jpg
Leader4:Shafie Apdal
Party4:Warisan
Alliance4:Pakatan Harapan
Last Election4:
Seats4:8
Seat Change4:New
Popular Vote4:280,520
Percentage4:2.32%
Swing4:New
Image5:Jeffrey_Gapari_Kitingan.jpg
Colour5:4682b4
Leader5:Jeffrey Kitingan
Party5:STAR
Alliance5:United Sabah Alliance
Last Election5:
Seats5:1
Seat Change5:New
Popular Vote5:67,175
Percentage5:0.56%
Swing5:New
Prime Minister
Before Election:Najib Razak
Before Party:BN
After Election:Mahathir Mohamad
After Party:PH

General elections were held in Malaysia on Wednesday, 9 May 2018.[1] At stake were all 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of parliament. The 13th Parliament was dissolved by Prime Minister Najib Razak on 7 April 2018. It would have been automatically dissolved on 24 June 2018, five years after the first meeting of the first session of the 13th Parliament of Malaysia on 24 June 2013.[2]

In an unprecedented victory, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, which had been the country's federal opposition prior to the elections, won a majority in the Dewan Rakyat together with the Sabah Heritage Party (WARISAN), with PH and WARISAN together winning 121 seats.[3] [4] The elections marked the first time in Malaysia's history that the ruling party was voted out of power. The Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition had previously enjoyed an uninterrupted reign over the country since Malaya's independence in 1957, but this came to an end following the elections.[5] PH's leader, Mahathir Mohamad, who previously served as Malaysia's Prime Minister from 1981 to 2003, was sworn in for the second time on 10 May, a day after the elections. At 93 years of age, Mahathir was also the world's oldest elected head of government.[6] Barisan Nasional (BN), led by Najib, held onto 79 seats and became the new federal opposition, along with Gagasan Sejahtera (GS), which won 18 seats. The United Sabah Alliance (USA) won one seat, while three seats were won by independent politicians.[7] [8] The elections were widely regarded as one of the greatest political upsets worldwide in 2018.[9]

In the simultaneous state elections held for twelve of the state legislative assemblies, PH retained Penang and Selangor with larger majorities, while gaining Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor, Kedah and Perak from BN. WARISAN also seized Sabah from BN, which retained only two states – Perlis and Pahang. GS held onto Kelantan while gaining Terengganu from BN. State-level elections were not held in Sarawak, as the state had held its elections separately in 2016. However, as a consequence of the elections, Sarawak-based BN component parties left the coalition to form Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), thereby taking over the state from BN.

Following the elections, Mahathir secured a royal pardon for the jailed PH leader, Anwar Ibrahim, and indicated that he would give way to the latter within the next few years.[10] Meanwhile, Najib resigned as BN's chairman on 12 May and was succeeded as Leader of the Opposition by his party colleague, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.[11] Investigations within Malaysia into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, which had been halted during Najib's tenure, were resumed in the aftermath of the elections, resulting in several ongoing criminal indictments against the former Prime Minister.[12] [13] [14] However, PH only ruled for 22 months before collapsing in the 2020 Malaysian political crisis, to be replaced by a new Government named Perikatan Nasional, led by Muhyiddin Yassin. Perikatan Nasional would itself collapse after 17 months, with Barisan Nasional taking power and Ismail Sabri Yaakob becoming prime minister.[15] [16]

Background

In the previous general elections in 2013, the incumbent Barisan Nasional government was re-elected for the thirteenth consecutive time, but with a decreased mandate and losing the majority vote. Barisan Nasional chairman, Najib Razak, was re-elected as Prime Minister to a second term. The main opposition, Pakatan Rakyat, led by Anwar Ibrahim, won the majority vote but was unable to win enough seats to form the government due to Malaysia's first-past-the-post voting system and alleged gerrymandering. The elections marked the first time Barisan Nasional lost the majority vote in the party's history.

Electoral system

Elections in Malaysia exists at two levels: the federal level and the state level. Federal elections are held to elect members of the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of Parliament, while state elections are held to elect members of the 13 State Legislative Assemblies of Malaysia. The heads of executive branch at both the federal and state levels, the Prime Minister and Menteri Besar/Chief Ministers respectively, are indirectly elected, usually filled by a member of the majority party/coalition in the respective legislatures

The Dewan Rakyat is made up of 222 members of parliament, elected for a five-year term; these seats are distributed between the thirteen Malaysian states in proportion to the states' voting population. Members are elected from single-member constituencies that each elects one representative to the Dewan Rakyat 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 as Prime Minister. If the election results in no single party having a majority, there is a hung parliament. In this case, the options for forming the Government are either a minority government or a coalition. Malaysia does not practice compulsory voting and automatic voter registration. The voting age is above 21[17] [18] although the age of majority in the country is 18.[19]

The redistribution of electoral boundaries for the entire country had been presented to and passed by the Dewan Rakyat, and subsequently gazetted on 29 March 2018 after obtaining the royal consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong ahead of the 14th general election.[20] Elections are conducted by the Election Commission of Malaysia (EC), which is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Department.

Date and cost

The Constitution of Malaysia requires a general election to be held at the end of five (5) years from the date of the first Parliament of Malaysia proceeding after a general election unless it is dissolved earlier by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong due to a motion of no-confidence or at the request of the Prime Minister. Whenever Parliament (Dewan Rakyat) is dissolved, a general election shall be held within sixty (60) days from the date of the dissolution and Parliament shall be summoned to meet on a date not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days from that date (Article 55 of the Constitution of Malaysia).[21]

Timetable

The key dates are listed below in Malaysia Standard Time (GMT+8):

28 MarchPrime Minister Najib Razak tabled the Election Commission's redelineation report in the Dewan Rakyat[22]
6 AprilNajib Razak announced his intention to dissolve the Malaysian Parliament[23]
7 AprilFormal dissolution of Parliament[24]
10 AprilElection Commission chairman Hashim Abdullah announced that the general election would take place on 9 May 2018
28 AprilNomination process of candidates for the general election begins, and the deadline (10am) for the delivery of candidate nomination papers[25] [26]
28 AprilOfficial 11-day campaigning period begins[27]
5-8 MayEarly voting begins[28]
9 MayPolling day
10 MayInauguration of the new Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad at Istana Negara[29]

Cost

The cost to the taxpayer of organising the election was RM500 million – RM100 million more than the previous general election.[1]

Part of the spending was spent on indelible ink, which costed around RM4.8 million for a total of 100,000 bottles of 60mL ink imported from Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited in India.[30]

Election spending

Before the campaign, there were no limits to what a political party, candidate, or third party (corporations, unions, special interest groups, etc.) can spend: Spending rules are only in force after the writs have been dropped and the campaign has begun. Malaysian election law set election spending limit at RM200,000 for each parliamentary candidate and half of the latter for each state legislature candidate.[31]

Dissolution of state legislative assemblies

While any state may dissolve its assembly independently of the Federal Parliament, the traditional practice is for most state assemblies to be dissolved at the same time as Parliament. In accordance with Malaysian law, the parliament as well as the legislative assemblies of each state (Dewan Undangan Negeri) would automatically dissolve on the fifth anniversary of the first sitting, and elections must be held within sixty days of the dissolution, unless dissolved prior to that date by their respective Heads of State on the advice of their Heads of Government.

Below are the dates of which the legislative assembly of each state dissolved:

State legislatives
assemblies
First legislative dayExpected last legislative dayExpected election day
(on or before)
Dissolution day
13 June 2013 13 June 2018 13 August 20187 April 2018[32]
16 June 2013 16 June 2018 16 August 20189 April 2018[33]
17 June 2013 17 June 2018 17 August 20187 April 2018[34]
20 June 2013 20 June 2018 20 August 20187 April 2018[35]
21 June 2013 21 June 2018 21 August 20189 April 2018[36]
23 June 2013 23 June 2018 23 August 20187 April 2018
28 June 2013 28 June 2018 28 August 20187 April 2018[37]
Penang28 June 201328 June 201828 August 201810 April 2018[38]
Perak28 June 201328 June 201828 August 20189 April 2018[39]
1 July 2013 1 July 2018 1 September 20187 April 2018
Malacca1 July 20131 July 20181 September 20187 April 2018[40]
13 June 2013 13 June 2018 13 September 20187 April 2018[41]

The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly was not dissolved as the last elections were held in 2016 and the term of the state assembly is due to end in 2021.

Parties and leaders

Altogether 53 parties were eligible to contest in the elections and get on the ballot and can therefore elect a representative in the Dewan Rakyat.[42] Furthermore, there are several independent candidates running in single-member constituencies.

The leader of the party commanding a majority of support in the Dewan Rakyat is the person who is called on by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to form a government as Prime Minister, while the leader of the largest party not in government becomes the Leader of the Opposition.

The table below lists parties which were represented in the 13th Dewan Rakyat.

NameIdeologyLeader(s)Seats
contested
2013 resultSeats in 13th
Dewan Rakyat
Votes (%)Seats
BNBarisan Nasional
National conservatismNajib Razak22247.38%
PHPakatan Harapan
Reformism / ProgressivismMahathir Mohamad20436.1%
GSGagasan Sejahtera
Islamic conservatismAbdul Hadi Awang15814.78%
WARISANParti Warisan Sabah
Sabah RegionalismMohd. Shafie Apdal17New Party
PSMParti Sosialis Malaysia
Democratic socialismMohd. Nasir Hashim40.19%
Independents24

Last election pendulum

The previous General Election witnessed 133 governmental seats and 89 non-governmental seats filled the Dewan Rakyat. The government side had 44 safe seats and 34 fairly safe seats, while theopposition had 33 safe seats and 18 fairly safe seats.

GOVERNMENT SEATS
Marginal
Nogeh Gumbek SPDP 40.6
PBS 43.8
PBRS 44.3
PBS 45.9
MIC 46.2
UMNO 46.7
Anyi Ngau SPDP 48.9
UPKO 49.2
Bentong MCA 49.4
Beaufort UMNO 49.4
Labis MCA 49.5
Sungai Besar UMNO 49.6
Kuala Selangor UMNO 49.6
Pasir Gudang UMNO 49.6
Bagan Serai Noor Azmi Ghazali UMNO 49.7
Hulu Selangor MIC 49.9
Ketereh UMNO 50.1
Machang Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub UMNO 50.1
Tebrau MCA 50.1
Kota Belud UMNO 50.1
Jerai UMNO 50.2
Segamat MIC 50.3
Kuala Kangsar Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar
Wan Ahmad
UMNO 50.4
Arau UMNO 50.6
Bera UMNO 50.6
Titiwangsa UMNO 50.6
Ledang UMNO 50.7
Tasek Gelugor UMNO 50.8
Setiawangsa Ahmad Fauzi Zahari UMNO 50.8
Tuaran Madius TangauUPKO 50.8
Kulim-
Bandar Baharu
UMNO 51.0
Muar UMNO 51.0
Pulai UMNO 51.0
Balik Pulau Hilmi Yahaya UMNO 51.1
Pendang UMNO 51.5
Merbok UMNO 51.9
Bagan Datok UMNO 52.1
Sabak Bernam Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh UMNO 52.1
Baling UMNO 52.5
Sik UMNO 52.6
Sepanggar Jumat Idris UMNO 52.6
Saratok William Ikom SPDP 52.6
Jerlun UMNO 52.8
Tanjong Malim MCA 53.0
Tanah Merah Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz UMNO 53.1
Sekijang UMNO 53.2
Jerantut Ahmad Nazlan Idris UMNO 53.7
Kepala Batas UMNO 53.8
Padang Rengas UMNO 53.8
Tawau PBS 53.8
Kangar UMNO 53.9
Sri Aman PRS 54.4
Tanjong Karang UMNO 54.5
Padang Terap UMNO 54.6
Lubok Antu PRS 54.7
Tanjong Piai MCA 55.0
Lipis Abdul Rahman Mohamad UMNO 55.1
Tambun UMNO 55.3
Larut UMNO 55.6
Johor Bahru UMNO 55.8
Fairly safe
Batu Sapi Linda Tsen Thau Lin PBS 56.0
Besut UMNO 56.1
Setiu UMNO 56.1
Tapah MIC 56.1
Sri Gading UMNO 56.4
Jeli UMNO 56.5
Hulu Terengganu Jailani Johari UMNO 56.5
Kemaman UMNO 56.9
Parit Mohd Zaim Abu Hassan UMNO 56.9
Jempol UMNO 56.9
Simpang
Renggam
GERAKAN 57.0
Pasir Salak UMNO 57.4
Kuala Krau UMNO 57.5
Bintulu SPDP 57.6
Lenggong UMNO 58.1
Selangau PRS 58.1
Silam Nasrun Mansur UMNO 58.2
Julau PRS 58.3
Kubang Pasu UMNO 58.4
Paya Besar UMNO 58.4
Jelebu Zainuddin Ismail UMNO 58.4
Ayer Hitam MCA 58.4
Kanowit PRS 58.5
Putatan UPKO 58.7
Maran UMNO 59.1
Alor Gajah MCA 59.2
Jasin UMNO 59.5
Kimanis UMNO 59.5
Padang Besar UMNO 59.6
Safe
Kudat UMNO 60.2
Tampin UMNO 60.4
Gerik Hasbullah Osman UMNO 60.6
Parit Sulong UMNO 60.9
Gua Musang UMNO 61.0
Kuala Pilah UMNO 61.0
Libaran UMNO 61.2
Tangga Batu Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah UMNO 61.4
Hulu Rajang Ugak Kumbong PRS 61.8
Rembau UMNO 62.1
Mambong PBB 62.8
Sembrong UMNO 63.7
Sibuti UMNO 63.8
Papar UMNO 63.9
Kalabakan UMNO 64.0
Pagoh UMNO 64.8
Pontian UMNO 65.0
Rompin UMNO 65.5
Labuan Rozman Isli UMNO 65.6
Kinabatangan UMNO 67.0
Langkawi UMNO 67.2
Sipitang UMNO 67.3
Putrajaya UMNO 69.0
Masjid Tanah UMNO 69.7
Beluran UMNO 69.7
Mersing UMNO 70.2
Lawas PBB 70.6
Limbang PBB 72.8
Serian SUPP 73.5
Tenggara UMNO 73.7
Pekan UMNO 75.2
Batang Lupar PBB 75.4
Mukah PBB 75.5
Betong PBB 75.9
Kota Samarahan PBB 76.8
Kapit PBB 77.1
Petra Jaya PBB 77.8
Semporna UMNO 81.1
Pengerang UMNO 81.9
Kota Tinggi UMNO 82.4
Santubong PBB 84.4
Batang Sadong PBB 85.5
Igan PBB 85.8
Tanjong Manis PBB 87.4
NON-GOVERNMENT SEATS
Marginal
Alor Setar PKR 47.4
Sepang PAS 49.1
Bachok Ahmad Marzuk Shaary PAS 49.5
Kuala Nerus Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali PAS 49.9
Telok Kemang PKR 49.9
Temerloh Nasrudin Hassan PAS 50.1
Batu Pahat PKR 50.1
Bukit Gantang Idris Ahmad PAS 50.2
Sarikei DAP 50.4
Pasir Puteh Nik Mazian Nik Mohamad PAS 50.8
Lembah Pantai PKR 51.0
Sandakan DAP 51.0
Miri PKR 51.0
Kuala Krai PAS 51.2
Gombak PKR 51.4
Dungun Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli PAS 51.9
Sungai Siput PKR 51.9
Raub DAP 52.1
Sibu DAP 52.1
Pokok Sena PAS 52.2
Kuala Langat PKR 52.2
Seremban DAP 52.2
Kuala Kedah PKR 52.3
Marang PAS 52.6
Bukit Katil PKR 52.6
Padang Serai PKR 53.0
Bakri DAP 53.4
Kluang DAP 54.0
Kuantan PKR 54.1
Wangsa Maju PKR 54.4
Sungai Petani PKR 54.7
Kampar DAP 54.7
Lumut PKR 54.8
Kapar PKR 55.1
Beruas DAP 55.5
Shah Alam PAS 55.7
Tumpat PAS 55.8
Pasir Mas Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz PAS 55.8
Fairly safe
Kuala Terengganu PAS 56.0
Indera Mahkota PKR 56.1
Telok Intan Seah Leong Peng DAP 56.3
Bandar Tun Razak PKR 56.4
Selayang PKR 56.7
Rantau Panjang PAS 56.9
Nibong Tebal PKR 57.1
Hulu Langat PAS 57.1
Gelang Patah DAP 57.2
Batu PKR 57.9
Kulai DAP 57.9
Taiping DAP 58.5
Gopeng PKR 58.5
Permatang Pauh PKR 58.6
Ampang PKR 58.8
Subang PKR 58.8
Parit Buntar PAS 58.9
Lanang DAP 59.3
Safe
Kota Bharu Takiyuddin Hassan PAS 61.5
Penampang Ignatius Dorell Leiking PKR 61.8
Kota Melaka DAP 62.3
Petaling Jaya
Selatan
PKR 63.0
Pengkalan Chepa Izani Husin PAS 63.2
Bayan Baru PKR 63.4
Stampin DAP 63.7
Klang DAP 63.9
Kota Raja PAS 63.9
Segambut DAP 64.6
Kubang Kerian Ahmad Baihaki Atiqullah PAS 64.7
Rasah DAP 65.1
Kelana Jaya PKR 65.8
Pandan PKR 65.9
Puchong DAP 66.7
Serdang DAP 67.1
Jelutong Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun DAP 70.3
Ipoh Barat DAP 72.2
Kota Kinabalu DAP 72.2
Bukit Bintang DAP 72.8
Batu Kawan DAP 73.1
Bandar Kuching DAP 73.8
Ipoh Timor DAP 75.5
Batu Gajah DAP 76.7
Bukit Bendera DAP 77.2
Bagan DAP 77.8
Bukit Gelugor Karpal Singh Ram Singh DAP 80.1
Bukit Mertajam Steven Sim Chee Kiong DAP 80.5
Cheras DAP 81.2
Petaling Jaya
Utara
Tony Pua Kiam Wee DAP 81.3
Kepong DAP 81.8
Tanjong DAP 82.8
Seputeh Teresa Kok Suh Sim DAP 85.7

Opinion polls

DatePollsterSamplewidth=20 BNwidth=20 PHwidth=20 GSwidth=90 OthersLead
Merdeka Center 1,579 37.3% 43.4% 19.3% -
Merdeka Center 1,206 40.3% 43.7% 16% -
IM 104,340 27% 41% 21% 14% (Und.)
IDE 31,341 29% 59% 12% -
11,257,147 47.38% 50.87% 15.1% -

Note also that in the 2013 general election, the current component parties of Pakatan Harapan and Gagasan Sejahtera were competing together under an informal coalition, Pakatan Rakyat. In 2015, disagreements between those component parties over the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and their desire to implement hudud law prompted a split, with PAS leaving to form the Gagasan Sejahtera coalition. The remaining parties in Pakatan Rakyat, together with PAS splinter party Amanah and former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's PPBM, formed the Pakatan Harapan coalition. Hence, while Pakatan Rakyat won the popular vote in 2013, the component parties forming Pakatan Harapan did not.

Notes:
  1. - Survey presented findings of Peninsular Malaysia respondents only.
  2. - Survey presented findings of Selangor respondents only

Politicians not standing

Members of Parliament not standing for re-election

MPSeatFirst electedPartyReasonRef
Kangar2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party[43]
Alor Setar2013People's Justice PartyTransferred to Bukit Tengah state seat[44]
Merbok2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party[45]
Padang Serai2013People's Justice PartyDropped by party[46]
Izani HusinPengkalan Chepa2013Pan-Malaysian Islamic PartyTransferred to Kijang state seat[47]
Ahmad Baihaki AtiqullahKubang Kerian2013Pan-Malaysian Islamic PartyDropped by party
Nik Mazian Nik MohamadPasir Putih2013Pan-Malaysian Islamic PartyDropped by party
Che Mohamad Zulkifly JusohSetiu2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party[48]
Jailani JohariHulu Terengganu2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party
Bukit Bendera2013Democratic Action PartyTransferred to Tanjong Bunga state seat[49]
Tanjong2013Democratic Action PartyDropped by party[50]
Jelutong2008Democratic Action PartyDropped by party
Mohd Zaim Abu HassanParit2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party[51]
Kampar2013Democratic Action PartyTransferred to Kepayang state seat[52]
Lumut2013People's Justice PartyTransferred to Bukit Chandan state seat[53]
Tanjong Malim2008Barisan NasionalNot selected[54]
Cameron Highlands2013IndependentNot seeking re-election[55]
Raub2013Democratic Action PartyHealth concerns[56]
Jerantut1999Barisan NasionalDropped by party[57]
Indera Mahkota2013People's Justice PartyTransferred to Sungai Lembing state seat[58]
Paya Besar2008Barisan NasionalDeath[59]
Pandan2013People's Justice PartyCourt conviction[60]
Petaling Jaya Selatan2008People's Justice PartyTransferred to Kajang state seat[61]
Kapar2013People's Justice PartyTransferred to Hutan Melintang state seat[62]
Kota Raja2008National Trust PartyTransferred to Seri Serdang state seat
Kepong1982Democratic Action PartyDropped by party[63]
Batu2008People's Justice PartyFailed in the nomination process[64]
Ahmad Fauzi ZahariSetiawangsa2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party[65]
Bandar Tun Razak2008IndependentRetired from politics[66]
Jempol2013Barisan NasionalCorruption investigations[67]
Rasah2013Democratic Action PartyTransferred to Bahau state seat[68]
Telok Kemang2008People's Justice PartyDropped by party[69]
Alor Gajah2013Barisan NasionalTransferred to Machap Jaya state seat[70]
Abu Bakar Mohamad DiahTangga Batu2013Barisan NasionalTransferred to Paya Rumput state seat[71]
Kota Melaka2008IndependentTransferred to Kota Laksamana state seat[72]
Sekijang2013Barisan NasionalTransferred to Kemelah state seat[73]
Bakri2008Democratic Action PartyDropped by party[74]
Batu Pahat2013People's Justice PartyDropped by party[75]
Kota Tinggi2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party[76]
Tebrau2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party[77]
Pasir Gudang2013Barisan NasionalDropped by party
Jumat IdrisSepanggar2013Barisan NasionalParty membership suspended[78]
Kota Kinabalu2013Democratic Action PartyTransferred to Sri Tanjung state seat[79]
Sipitang2008Barisan NasionalTransferred to Sindumin state seat[80]
Keningau1986Barisan NasionalNot seeking re-election[81]
Tenom2004Barisan NasionalDropped by party[82]
Pensiangan2008Barisan NasionalNot seeking re-election[83]
Libaran1999Barisan NasionalTransferred to Gum-Gum state seat
Stampin2013Democratic Action PartyRetired from politics[84]
Mambong1999Barisan NasionalHealth concerns[85]
Lubok Antu2008Barisan NasionalDropped by party[86]
Betong1986Barisan NasionalUnable to contest due to PBB's single-seat policy[87]
William Ikom MawanSaratok2013Barisan NasionalUnable to contest due to PBB's single-seat policy[88]
Tanjong Manis2008Barisan NasionalHealth concerns[89]
Igan2004Barisan NasionalDropped by party[90]
Mukah1982Barisan NasionalDropped by party
Selangau2004Barisan NasionalDropped by party[91]
Sibuti2008Barisan NasionalHealth concerns[92]

Endorsements

See main article: Endorsements in the Malaysian general election, 2018. Newspapers, organisations and individuals endorsed parties or individual candidates for the election.

Conduct

There had been many controversies even before the general election began, mostly regarding gerrymandering and the electoral boundary re-delineation in favour of the Barisan Nasional coalition. The body regulating elections in Malaysia, the Election Commission of Malaysia (which is under the control of the Prime Minister's Department), was criticised by election watchdogs, including Bersih, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia and various other organisations for electoral malpractices, arbitrary decisions and a lack of transparency.[93] [94] [95]

Gerrymandering

Opposition parties, non-governmental organisations and even politicians from the ruling party accused the government of gerrymandering, manipulating the composition of electoral seats in favour of Barisan Nasional.[96] The opposition claims that the manipulation primarily involves merging opposition-dominated areas into large, single seats and dividing BN-favouring areas among several, smaller seats so as to favour rural voters who are more inclined to support the ruling party.[97] An analyst with electoral reform group Tindak Malaysia estimates that this latest redelineation process would allow Barisan Nasional to regain control with just 33% of the vote.[98]

The Electoral Integrity Project (EIP), an independent academic project based at Harvard University and the University of Sydney that studies election integrity and assigns PEI scores (Global Perceptions of Electoral Integrity) to countries across the world, had in its most recent research paper published in November 2017, ranked Malaysia's election integrity at 142nd out of 158 countries, just above Zimbabwe (143rd), Vietnam (147th) and Afghanistan (150th).[99]

Polling day on midweek

Many Malaysians protested the Election Commission's decision to set the Polling Day on midweek (Wednesday, 9 May) rather than to set it on a weekend (i.e. Saturday) as it had been in the previous General Elections. Some of them, including Pakatan Harapan chairman Mahathir Mohamad,[100] PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man[101] and Bersih chairperson Maria Chin,[102] viewed such a decision to be unfair, undemocratic, and an attempt to discourage people overseas or interstate from returning to their hometowns to vote.[103] In response, Najib Razak declared Wednesday a national holiday.

Overseas ballot issues

Since the 2013 elections, overseas voting has been open to the majority of Malaysian registered voters living abroad.[104] However, registered overseas Malaysian voters were reported to have received their ballots late, some even on election day, despite the election commission requiring their ballots to be returned before the close of polling stations to be counted as valid.[105] As a result, many of these overseas voters organised on social media to bring theirs and other ballots back through casual couriers.[106] [107] The Election Commission of Malaysia currently denies trying to stop overseas Malaysians to vote.

Nomination Day controversies

Controversies erupted after six candidates for the opposition coalition, Pakatan Harapan, were disqualified from running under suspicious circumstances on Nomination Day (Saturday 28 April 2018). The most prominent disqualification was that of PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, who the local returning officer prevented from defending his Batu parliamentary seat due to an earlier court conviction, despite a High Court judgement which made clear he was eligible to continue as an MP. A subsequent High Court appeal was thrown out, under the claim that they did not have jurisdiction over election-related matters.[108] Chua and his party are consequently endorsing independent candidate, 22-year-old P. Prabakaran, for the seat.[109]

Meanwhile, in Rantau, Negeri Sembilan, the state's Chief Minister Mohamad Hasan was re-elected unopposed after opposition candidate Dr. Streram Sinnasamy was prevented from entering the nomination centre, ostensibly as he did not have an entry pass, despite his claim that he was never issued one and despite the fact that there are no laws requiring candidates to have entry passes.[110] Four other opposition candidates were barred for being undischarged bankrupts, despite claims that earlier checks with the authorities had confirmed their ability to participate.[111]

Lawyers and other political analysts criticised these returning officers for a "gross abuse of power" that went beyond their primary role (to assist with filing nomination papers) and deprived several candidates of the chance to exercise their democratic right. They claim that incidents like this contribute to the perception that Malaysian elections are inherently unfair and weaken the rule of law.[112] Pakatan Harapan chairman Mahathir Mohamad confirmed that he would appeal these decisions to the courts, alleging an "abuse of power" by "officers who are willing to do illegal things on orders".[113]

Alleged vote-buying

The ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, faced criticism for alleged vote-buying. The Nikkei Asian Review noted that measures like cash bonuses being handed out to civil servants and pensioners, key components of its support base, occurred just before the dissolution of the lower house of Parliament,[114] with other measures announced during the campaign trail including "special aid" of RM500 (US$127) and reserved social housing units for employees of government-linked company DRB-HICOM[115] as well as minimum wage increases.[116]

Within constituencies, Barisan Nasional MPs came under significant criticism from electoral watchdog Bersih, with seven out of ten individuals named in their "Election Offenses Hall of Shame" being from Barisan Nasional component parties. Musa Aman, Noh Omar, Hamzah Zainudin and Shahanim Mohd Yusuf (BN-UMNO) as well as P. Kamalanathan and Jaspal Singh (BN-MIC) were publicly reprimanded for handing out free food, petrol, furniture, groceries and motorcycles in their respective constituencies, in what was widely seen as an attempt to sway the vote in favour of them.[117]

Controversy also erupted over Barisan Nasional's battle for the Sekinchan constituency, considered a marginal seat held by opposition party DAP, where an election event organised by Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos (the UMNO chief for Sungai Besar) in support of local candidate Lee Yee Yuan (BN-MCA) included an all-you-can-eat buffet, chances to win a motorcycle and a RM25,000 (US$6,345) cash prize, as well as a promise of a RM2,000 (US$508) payment for every voter if they are elected.[118] All payments, along with a claimed RM150,000 in donations and a Mercedes-Benz C200 to be offered at the next event, were claimed to have been donated by "successful businessmen" in the small fishing village (population: 20,000) who wanted to show their "gratitude" to BN.[119] While Yunos denies any wrongdoing, claiming that he is not a candidate but is "only conveying contributions from certain individuals," the Sekinchan DAP branch lodged a police report against him for alleged vote-buying.[120]

Yunos also faced controversy for being caught on video handing out RM50 (US$13) notes from a bag at a function in the Sungai Leman Bendang Utara village, which is also part of Sekinchan. He claimed that those being paid were "party workers" responsible for "putting up flags, buntings and other materials," a claim that media were unable to independently verify. Media outlet Malaysiakini noted that most of those being paid were not dressed in Barisan Nasional colours, and that significant numbers of senior citizens and children were present at the event.[121]

The main opposition alliance, Pakatan Harapan, was also not immune to allegations of vote-buying. Pakatan Harapan's manifesto, particularly, lists as a key promise the abolition of Malaysia's 6% GST and increasing minimum wages, which journalists and financial analysts claim amounts to pork-barrel populism that could negatively affect Malaysian government finances.[114] [122] Bersih also included Afif Bahardin (PH-PKR) on their Election Offenses Hall of Shame for utilising Penang state government programmes to give handouts such as hampers to voters in his constituency of Seberang Jaya.[123]

Additionally, Ahmad Yakob, the Menteri Besar of Kelantan, was singled out for criticism after "repeatedly using Kelantan state government resources" to benefit the campaign of his party, PAS (competing as the main component of the Gagasan Sejahtera coalition), including by handing out cash to religious leaders in a state government hall covered in PAS flags.[117]

Release of results

On polling night, the announcement of results took longer than usual, as it was alleged that the Election Commission officers were delaying their signing of Form 14 for announcing the results. This was later revealed in an interview between Mahathir and The Mekong Review, where he revealed that there were attempts to get winning PH candidates to cross over to BN and PAS, fearing that PH "were not going to respect the position of Islam as much as the previous government had". He added that they had already won as early as 8.30 pm but did not receive the official announcement until 2 AM.[124]

Election observers

The Election Commission (EC) invited 14 countries to participate in the polls as foreign observers, comprising representatives of election management bodies from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Commonwealth of Nations, Asian and European countries as well as a study and support centre for the Malaysian Commonwealth Studies Centre based in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Seven countries agreed to send representatives to observe the elections, namely Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Thailand and Timor-Leste.[125] The invitation was also extended to India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan of which nine countries observers arrived on 7 May.[126] The EC also appointed 1,236 election observers from 14 local non-governmental organisations.[127]

Results

See main article: Results of the 2018 Malaysian general election by parliamentary constituency.

The nationwide counting of votes began at 17:00 on 9 May.[128] The decision to close the polling stations at 17:00 was met with protests by disgruntled would-be voters who contended that, given the longer-than-usual queues, the Election Commission (EC) could have extended the polling hours, as had been done in the previous elections.[129] [130]

The first unofficial result came from the constituency of Baram in Sarawak, which was won by Barisan Nasional (BN).[131] Despite BN's early lead, by 20:30, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN were almost neck and neck.[132] The states of Sarawak and Sabah, long regarded as BN's "fixed deposits", witnessed a significant swing in favour of PH and the Sabah Heritage Party (WARISAN) respectively.[133] [134] [135] In a further blow to BN's chances, several leaders of BN's component parties, such as Subramaniam Sathasivam (MIC), Liow Tiong Lai (MCA) and Mah Siew Keong (Gerakan), were defeated in their respective constituencies by PH candidates.[128] [136] Mahathir Mohamad, PH's Prime Ministerial candidate, secured the constituency of Langkawi by 21:45.[128] As the night wore on, it was reported that PH also retained the states of Penang and Selangor with larger majorities.[137] [138]

Stunned by the rapidly deteriorating turn of events, federal authorities attempted to stymie the release of unofficial election results. At 21:13, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) ordered Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block Malaysiakini and its sister websites, which were providing live updates of the poll counting, on the grounds that the updates "may affect national stability, public order and harmony, and economic stability".[139] Meanwhile, unmarked cars, allegedly carrying fake ballot boxes, were spotted entering some of the counting stations. Enraged onlookers tried to stop the cars, leading to sporadic rioting.[140] The most serious rioting occurred in the town of Ayer Hitam in Johor; the rioters in the town were eventually dispersed by the Royal Malaysia Police's Federal Reserve Unit (FRU).[141]

At about 23:20, Mahathir claimed during a press conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya that PH had already exceeded the simple majority of 112 seats needed to form the federal government.[142] [143] He added that PH had successfully wrested the states of Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor and Kedah from BN. However, Mahathir alleged that some EC officers were refusing to sign Form 14 in their respective constituencies, which is required for the results to be announced. He further warned that although "Malaysians are not violent people, they should not take this lying down".[143]

Following the press conference, the EC started releasing the official election results just after midnight.[144] However, the official results were continuously delayed and announced only gradually, as the counting of votes was said to be still ongoing in several places.[145] At about 02:30, right after unofficial results had confirmed PH's simple majority, Mahathir, flanked by several PH leaders, gave another press conference, announcing that the Istana Negara (National Palace) had summoned the leader of the People's Justice Party (PKR) - the party whose logo was used by PH in the polls - and that he would be sworn in as the nation's seventh Prime Minister later that day.[128] [143]

Tellingly, BN's victory celebrations at Kuala Lumpur's Putra World Trade Centre, which had been customary in the event of a BN electoral victory, did not materialise.[146] Instead, BN's top echelons held a closed door meeting at the private residence of the outgoing Prime Minister and BN chief, Najib Razak.[146] [147] This sparked fears that the defeated incumbent government would resort to martial law to cling to federal power.[148] When informed of the coalition's impending defeat, a distraught Najib asked "do people really hate me that much?", while another BN politician told the press after the meeting that "whatever it is, we need to respect the will of the people".[146] [149] In any event, martial law was never touched upon in the meeting.[147]

The EC announced the full official election results shortly before 05:00, where it was revealed that the states of Sabah and Perak were left with hung legislative assemblies.[145] [150] Meanwhile, the Gagasan Sejahtera (GS) coalition, led by the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), was not only able to retain Kelantan, it also captured the state of Terengganu from BN. Najib finally conceded defeat during a press conference at 11:00.[151]

By state

State /
federal territory
Barisan NasionalPakatan Harapan + WarisanGagasan SejahteraOther / Independent
Votes%Seats%±Votes%Seats%±Votes%Seats%±Votes%Seats%±
Johor581,66238.683113819,51854.4186913105,3756.99008180.0500
Kedah282,27330.02138362,25638.510676295,41331.432023600.0400
Kelantan320,38439.1536101,13612.300393,45048.096453730.6500
Malacca157,33938.12332218,41552.9467235,7338.650014150.3400
Negeri Sembilan179,51836.13382267,95153.9563249,4789.95003020.0600
Pahang285,91243.29641204,96530.95362170,60525.80019760.1500
Penang177,63122.52151543,29868.81185165,0058.240031910.4000
Perak395,35533.211461597,90150.313545193,55116.300224600.2100
Perlis46,88538.8267146,19438.2133127,70122.9000000
Sabah335,58739.8104012416,45551.214561113,2951.580075,6110.0913.341
Selangor427,44320.82931,312,05363.820917312,89815.200435270.1700
Terengganu252,46140.7225259,8349.64001308,25249.767530000
Sarawak462,09052.519616381,86343.41032410,5911.200032340.37202
WP Kuala Lumpur153,94522.1002486,97469.910100254,5697.830010190.1500
WP Labuan10,16447.611008,71440.8001,5557.28009254.3300
WP Putrajaya12,14849.511008,77635.7003,63414.8000000
Total4,080,79735.67932.9545,615,82245.5612254.9552,051,18816.99188.11499,2110.8231.353

Seats that changed allegiance

No.SeatPrevious Party (2013)Current Party (2018)
P002Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P004Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P005Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P006Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P008Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P011Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)
P012Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)
P013Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)
P014Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P018Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P034Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)
P040Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)
P053Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P057Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P059Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)Barisan Nasional (UMNO)
P062Socialist Party of MalaysiaPakatan Harapan (PKR)
P063Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P077Barisan Nasional (MCA)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P088Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P089Barisan Nasional (MCA)Pakatan Harapan (DAP)
P093Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P094Barisan Nasional (MIC)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P096Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P101Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P108Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P111Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P113Gagasan Sejahtera (PAS)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P115Pakatan Harapan (PKR)Independent
P118Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P119Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P129Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P133Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P135Barisan Nasional (MCA)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P136Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P140Barisan Nasional (MIC)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P141Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P142Barisan Nasional (MCA)Pakatan Harapan (DAP)
P143Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P144Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P146Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P149Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P151Barisan Nasional (GERAKAN)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P158Barisan Nasional (MCA)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P159Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P160Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P161Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (AMANAH)
P165Barisan Nasional (MCA)Pakatan Harapan (BERSATU)
P169Barisan Nasional (UMNO)WARISAN
P171Barisan Nasional (UMNO)WARISAN
P173Barisan Nasional (UPKO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P174Pakatan Harapan (PKR)WARISAN
P175Barisan Nasional (UMNO)WARISAN
P179Barisan Nasional (UPKO)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P180Barisan Nasional (PBS)United Sabah Alliance (STAR)
P181Barisan Nasional (UMNO)Pakatan Harapan (DAP)
P185Barisan Nasional (PBS)WARISAN
P188Barisan Nasional (UMNO)WARISAN
P189Barisan Nasional (UMNO)WARISAN
P190Barisan Nasional (PBS)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P191Barisan Nasional (UMNO)WARISAN
P192Barisan Nasional (PDP)Pakatan Harapan (DAP)
P198Barisan Nasional (PBB)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P203Barisan Nasional (PRS)Independent
P205Barisan Nasional (PDP)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)
P209Barisan Nasional (PRS)Independent
P214Barisan Nasional (PRS)Pakatan Harapan (PKR)

Members of the 13th Parliament who lost reelection in the 2018 election

ConstituencyDeparting MPFirst electedParty
P004LangkawiNawawi Ahmad2013BN (UMNO)
P005JerlunOthman Aziz2013
P006Kubang PasuMohd Johari Baharum2004
P011PendangOthman Abdul1986
P012JeraiJamil Khir Baharom2013
P013SikMansor Abd Rahman2013
P018Kulim-Bandar BaharuAbd. Aziz Sheikh Fadzir 2013
P040KemamanAhmad Shabery Cheek2004
P053Balik PulauHilmi Yahya2004
P093Sungai BesarBudiman Mohd Zohdi2016
P096Kuala SelangorIrmohizam Ibrahim2013
P118SetiawangsaAhmad Fauzi Zahari2013
P119TitiwangsaJohari Abdul Ghani2013
P129Kuala PilahHasan Malek2004
P133TampinShaziman Abu Mansor1999
P144LedangHamim Samuri2004
P146MuarRazali Ibrahim2004
P149Sri GadingAziz Kaprawi2013
P160Johor BahruShahrir Abdul Samad1978
P161PulaiNur Jazlan Mohamed2004
P169Kota BeludAbdul Rahman Dahlan2008[152]
P175PaparRosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin2004
P188SilamNasrun Mansur2013
P191KalabakanAbdul Ghapur Salleh2004
P077Tanjong MalimOng Ka Chuan2008BN (MCA)
P089BentongLiow Tiong Lai1999
P142LabisChua Tee Yong2008
P165Tanjung PiaiWee Jeck Seng2008
P173PutatanMarkin Marcus Mojigoh2004BN (UPKO)
P179RanauEwon Ebin2013
P094Hulu SelangorKamalanathan Panchanathan2009BN (MIC)
P140SegamatSubramaniam Sathasivam2004
P076Teluk IntanMah Siew Keong1999BN (GERAKAN)
P151Simpang RenggamLiang Teck Ming2008
P190 TawauMary Yap Kain Ching2013BN (PBS)
P192Mas GadingAnthony Nogeh Gumbek2013BN (PDP)
P209JulauJoseph Salang Gandum1999BN (PRS)
P152KluangLiew Chin Tong2008[153] PH (DAP)
P036Kuala TerengganuRaja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad2013PH (AMANAH)
P059Bukit GantangIdris Ahmad2013GS (PAS)
P088TemerlohNasrudin Hassan2013[154]
P101Hulu LangatChe Rosli Che Mat2008
P062Sungai SiputMichael Jeyakumar Devaraj2008PSM

Aftermath

See main article: Second premiership of Mahathir Mohamad. Pakatan's victory triggered nationwide celebrations, marking the end of a 61-year rule by Barisan Nasional (and preceding Alliance Party).[155] Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in as the Prime Minister on the night of 10 May at the Istana Negara by Yang di Pertuan Agong Muhammad V, triggering more nationwide celebrations.[156]

Defections and state government formations

The general election resulted in a hung parliament in the 60-seat Sabah State Legislative Assembly, after Barisan Nasional and the Warisan-Pakatan pact both won 29 seats in the election. This made the Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR) as the 'kingmakers', as the party won two state seats, giving them the power to give either bloc the mandate to form the state government. Considering that STAR is an opposition party, it was wildly expected for them to support a Warisan-led government. However, the party's leadership chose to support a Barisan government instead, sparking mass protests across the state by opposition supporters.[157] As such, Barisan Nasional, with the support of STAR, formed the next Sabah state government, with Musa Aman chosen as Chief Minister.[158] However, the formation of government did not last long after one of Barisan's component parties, the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (now United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation; UPKO), which won five state seats, withdrew from the coalition and announced support for a Warisan-led government in Sabah.[159] Warisan president, Shafie Apdal, was later sworn in as the new Sabah Chief Minister the day after.[160] On the same day, another Sabah-based Barisan Nasional component party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), also announced their withdrawal from the coalition, citing their poor performance in the election, losing in every constituency they contested in.[161]

The day afterwards, another two Sabah-based Barisan Nasional component party, the United Sabah People's Party (PBRS) and the United Sabah Party (PBS), also announced that they had left Barisan. PBRS stated that they would seek an alliance with Pakatan Harapan and would apply for membership in the ruling party coalition,[162] while PBS stated that they are seeking to form a new Sabah-based coalition, compromising of all Sabah Opposition parties.[163] In 2020, after vowing for new coalitions, made for all Sabah-based parties, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) finally created to take over Shafie's WARISAN+ government, having secure simple majority under Hajiji Noor, former Sabah UMNO member.

Meanwhile, the general election also resulted in a hung parliament in the 59-seat Perak State Legislative Assembly, in which Pakatan won 29 seats, two short of a majority, while Barisan and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) each won 27 and 3 seats. This would mean neither of the three parties would have enough seats to form the Perak state government.[150] PAS proposed the formation of a unity government compromising of all sides in the State Legislative Assembly, but was rejected by Pakatan.[164] However, Pakatan succeeded in forming the state government after two Barisan assemblymen announced their support for Pakatan to form the state government,[165] thus ending the hung parliament status-quo. Their action resulted in the two assemblymen having their UMNO membership dropped,[166] meaning they would have to stand as an Independent in the Perak State Legislative Assembly. Perak Pakatan chairman, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, was later sworn in as the new Menteri Besar of Perak on 12 May.[167]

On the same day, three Johor BN assemblymen announced that they had left the coalition to join PPBM. Their defection gives Pakatan a total of 39 seats, giving them a two-thirds majority in the 56-seat State Legislative Assembly.[168] Subsequently, two Independent MPs, Lubok Antu MP, Jugah Muyang, and Julau MP, Larry Sng Wei Shien, announced that they had joined PKR.[169] Jugah Muyang won in a three-cornered fight against both Barisan and PKR, while the latter was endorsed by Pakatan against Barisan Nasional.[170] A third Independent MP, Prabakaran Parameswaran, who won in the constituency of Batu, announced that he had joined PKR in the day afterwards, thus increasing Pakatan's total tally in the Dewan Rakyat to 125.[171] He was endorsed by Pakatan Harapan during the general election after the coalition's original candidate, Tian Chua, was disqualified from contesting due to a RM2,000 fine.[172] On the following day, an Independent Perak assemblyman, Zainol Fadzi Paharudin, who was one of the two Barisan assemblymen who had their UMNO membership dropped for supporting a Pakatan government, announced that he had joined PPBM,[173] His defection from Barisan to Pakatan increases the coalition's tally in the Perak State Legislative Assembly to 30 seats, enough to form a simple majority.

On 19 May the disputed president of the People's Progressive Party (myPPP), M. Kayveas, declared that the party had left Barisan Nasional.[174] However, Kayveas' statement was denied by the party's deputy secretary-general, Simon Sabapathy, who insisted that the party was still part of the coalition and that Kayveas' announcement was invalid as he was no longer the president of the party,[175] after he was supposedly sacked by the party on April.[176] This resulted in a party leadership crisis, as the party's leadership was split between the party's former president, M. Kayveas, who's pursuing to make the party leave Barisan, and the party's current president, Maglin Dennis D'Cruz, who wants the party to remain in Barisan. Eventually, Kayveas won the struggle, and announced that myPPP had left Barisan.[174] The party would eventually be de-registered by the Registrar of Societies in January 2019, amid the leadership dispute.[177]

Nearly a month after the General Election, on 12 June, another four BN component parties, the United Bumiputera Heritage Party (PBB), the Sarawak People's Party (PRS), the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) announced their withdrawal from Barisan Nasional and the formation of a new Sarawak-based coalition, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).[178] The four parties altogether had 19 seats in the Dewan Rakyat and 72 seats in the 82-seat Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, thus decreasing Barisan's seat tally even further. Two weeks later, on 24 June, the Malaysian People's Movement Party (Gerakan) became the latest party to leave Barisan Nasional.[179]

The election resulted in a mass defection of UMNO MPs from the party, mostly becoming independents, some eventually changing their alliance and joining PH. On 24 June, the MP of Bagan Serai, Noor Azmi Ghazali, announced his withdrawal from the coalition to become an Independent Member of Parliament, and expressed interest to join the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (PPBM), a component party of Pakatan Harapan.[180] Three days later, UMNO's Bukit Gantang MP, Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, announced his departure from the party to also become an Independent Member of Parliament.[181] Further on 1 July, UMNO's Masjid Tanah MP, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin left the party to become an Independent Parliamentarian after disappointment with the party's election result.[182] Two more defections occurred in the month of September. UMNO's Jeli MP, Mustapa Mohamed, left the party on 18 September,[183] proceeded by UMNO's Kimanis MP, Anifah Aman,[184] the day after. On 11 October, UMNO's Labuan MP, Rozman Isli, left the party and joined Warisan, citing for the benefit of Labuan.[185] Another series of defections occurred in December. On 12 December, five Sabah UMNO MPs and nine of the state assemblypersons left the party to become independents, pledging support for Pakatan.[186] On 14 December, six UMNO MPs, Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Mersing), Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam) and Shabudin Yahaya (Tasik Gelugor) altogether left the party due to disappointment with UMNO's current leadership.[187] The series of defections and parties withdrawing from Barisan Nasional leaves the coalition with only three component parties, UMNO, MCA and MIC (the original three parties that formed the Alliance Party), a decrease of ten parties from the 13 they had prior to the election, and 40 seats, a substantial decrease from the 79 seats they won in the election, with the formations of Sarawak-based GPS in 2018 and Sabah-based GRS in 2020, separately governing both states.

Party leadership changes

After facing a defeat in the election, losing nearly a third of its seats in the Dewan Rakyat, former Prime Minister Najib Razak announced his resignation as president of UMNO and chairman of Barisan Nasional on 12 May.[188] Party deputy president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi took over the role as acting president of UMNO and chairman of Barisan Nasional, while vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein took over the duties of acting deputy president and deputy chairman of Barisan.[189] Najib's resignation resulted in a party leadership election, in which seven candidates eyed to become the party's new president. The result was that Zahid won the party leadership elections. He and former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan are now president and vice president of UMNO respectively.[190]

2020 political crisis

See main article: 2020 Malaysian political crisis.

PH government, however, served just 22 months before the take over of administration by PN, led by Muhyiddin Yassin, who was sworned in as the 8th Prime Minister on 1 March 2020. This came after PH lost its majority in the Dewan Rakyat following the withdrawal of Muhyiddin's party PPBM from PH, as well as defection of MPs led by Azmin Ali from PKR.[191] [192] Change in government of states of Johor, Malacca and Perak, followed suit. Kedah, on the other hand, is still governed by PH in spite of PPBM's withdrawal from PH until 17 May 2020 when PN took over of state government.[193] [194] [195] [196]

Popular culture

See also

Further reading

External links

Official websites

Other websites

Manifestos

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PRU 14: SPR tetapkan Rabu 9 Mei hari mengundi. Hafiz Marzukhi. GE 14: EC sets Wednesday May 9 polling day. ms. Astro Awani. 10 April 2018. 10 April 2018.
  2. Web site: Federal Government Gazette [Proclamation]]. https://web.archive.org/web/20190611230240/http://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputp/pua_20130528_P.U.%20(A)%20166%20-%20PROKLAMASI.pdf. dead. 11 June 2019. Attorney General's Chambers of Malaysia. 28 May 2013. 6 April 2018.
  3. News: 'I accept people's verdict': Najib on Malaysian election results. Promchertchoo. Pichayada. 10 May 2018. Channel NewsAsia. 11 August 2018. 11 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180811134207/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/i-accept-people-s-verdict-najib-on-malaysian-election-results-10220254. dead.
  4. Web site: Pakatan wins the impossible dream. Free Malaysia Today. 10 May 2018. 12 June 2018. 18 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180718122249/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/05/10/pakatan-wins-the-impossible-dream/. dead.
  5. News: Malaysia's opposition pulls off shocking election win. 10 May 2018. Al Jazeera. 11 August 2018.
  6. Web site: Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad sworn in after shock comeback victory. BBC News. 10 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  7. Web site: PRU 14 Dashboard. Election Commission of Malaysia. 10 May 2018. 9 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509211404/http://pru14.spr.gov.my/#!/home. 9 May 2018. dead.
  8. Web site: Pakatan takes Putrajaya, buoyed by 'Malay tsunami'. Zurairi Ar. The Malay Mail. 10 May 2018. 10 May 2018.
  9. Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad to Become World's Oldest Leader. 2022-01-13. Time. en.
  10. News: Anwar walks free after royal pardon, meets Dr Mahathir. 16 May 2018. The Edge. 11 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180811133856/http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/jailed-malaysian-leader-anwar-ibrahim-walks-free-after-royal-pardon. 11 August 2018. dead.
  11. Web site: Najib steps down as chief of Umno and BN. Razak Ahmad. Hanis Zainal. Clarissa Chung. The Star. 12 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  12. News: Dr M said to appoint adviser to recover 1MDB funds. 12 May 2018. The Star. 11 August 2018.
  13. News: From highest office to high court: Malaysia gripped by Najib's downfall. 4 July 2018. The Edge. 11 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180811132321/http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/highest-office-high-court-malaysia-gripped-najibs-downfall. 11 August 2018. dead.
  14. News: Najib Razak, Malaysia's Fallen Leader, Is Arrested and Charged in 1MDB Scandal. Yantoultra Ngui. Tom Wright. 4 July 2018. The Wall Street Journal. 11 August 2018.
  15. Web site: Mahathir's Bersatu party quits ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition; 11 MPS quit PKR. 20 March 2020. 1 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200301033702/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-bersatu-quits-pakatan-harapan-pkr-mahathir-anwar-12464296. dead.
  16. Web site: Malaysia gets a new prime minister — the country's third in 3 years. CNBC. 20 August 2021.
  17. Web site: Here's The Fastest Way To Register As A Voter Before The Next Elections. Nandini Balakrishnan. Says.com. 28 September 2016. 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..
  18. Web site: A Young Malaysian's Guide to the Election. Juice. 30 March 2018. 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)..
  19. Web site: Age of Majority Act 1971. The Commissioner of Law Revision, Malaysia. 22 April 1971. 9 May 2018.
  20. Web site: Redelineation report gazetted with king's consent. Free Malaysia Today. 29 March 2018. 6 April 2018. 2 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213614/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/03/29/redelineation-report-gazetted-with-kings-consent/. dead.
  21. Web site: Official Portal of the Parliament of Malaysia - General Information .
  22. Web site: PM tables redelineation report, significant changes in some states. Rashvinjeet S. Bedi. The Star. 28 March 2018. 6 April 2018.
  23. Web site: Parlimen bubar esok: PM. ms. Sinar Harian. 6 April 2018. 6 May 2018.
  24. Web site: GE14: It's on, Parliament will dissolve on Saturday. The Star. 6 April 2018. 6 April 2018.
  25. Web site: Nomination for GE14 to begin soon. Bernama. New Straits Times. 28 April 2018. 6 May 2018.
  26. Web site: Malaysia election: Nominations close, campaign for May 9 polls begins. Reme Ahmad. The Straits Times. 28 April 2018. 6 May 2018.
  27. Web site: 11 days set for campaigning. The Star. 11 April 2018. 6 May 2018.
  28. Web site: Early voting starts on May 5 for 300,000 voters. The Star. 4 May 2018. 6 May 2018.
  29. Web site: Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad sworn in after shock comeback victory. BBC News. 10 May 2018. 10 May 2018.
  30. Web site: Ahead of GE14, EC orders 100,000 bottles of indelible ink from India. The Malay Mail. 23 February 2018. 15 May 2018.
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  32. Web site: 8 state assemblies dissolved so far. 7 April 2018. Bernama. Free Malaysia Today. 8 April 2018. 20 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620123959/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/04/07/8-state-assemblies-dissolved-so-far/. dead.
  33. Web site: DUN Terengganu dibubar. Terengganu State Assembly is dissolved. Hanneeyzah Bariah Baharin. ms. Berita Harian. 9 April 2018. 6 May 2018.
  34. Web site: Yang Dipertuan Besar consents to dissolution of Negri Sembilan state assembly. 6 April 2018. Bernama. The Malay Mail. 8 April 2018.
  35. Web site: Sultan Ibrahim consents to dissolution of Johor state assembly. 6 April 2018. Bernama. The Malay Mail. 8 April 2018.
  36. Web site: Sultan Selangor perkenan bubar DUN Selangor. Selangor Sultan grants the dissolution of Selangor State Assembly. Norrasyidah Arshad. ms. Berita Harian. 9 April 2018. 6 May 2018.
  37. Web site: Perlis state assembly to dissolve tomorrow, says Azlan. 6 April 2018. Bernama. The Malay Mail. 8 April 2018.
  38. Web site: DUN Pulau Pinang bubar esok [METROTV]]. Penang State Assembly dissolved tomorrow [METROTV]. Audrey Dermawan. ms. Harian Metro. 9 April 2018. 9 April 2018.
  39. Web site: Sultan Nazrin berkenan bubar Dun Perak. Sultan Nazrin grants the dissolution of Perak State Assembly. Daud Ridauddin. ms. Sinar Harian. 9 April 2018. 9 April 2018.
  40. Web site: Melaka to dissolve state assembly tomorrow. 6 April 2018. Bernama. The Malay Mail. 8 April 2018.
  41. Web site: CM: Sabah assembly's dissolution tomorrow. Julia Chan. 6 April 2018. The Malay Mail. 8 April 2018.
  42. Web site: Parti yang berdaftar dengan SPR. Parties registered with the EC. ms. Election Commission of Malaysia. 8 May 2018. 23 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180423033816/http://www.spr.gov.my/ms/pilihan-raya/penjalanan-pilihan-raya/calon#tab-2. dead.
  43. Web site: BN Perlis kemuka 10 calon baharu. Perlis BN reveals 10 new candidates. Adie Suri Zulkefli. Suzalina Halid. Muhammad Mustakim Ramli. Dziyaul Afnan Abdul Rahman. ms. Berita Harian. 26 April 2018. 20 May 2018.
  44. Web site: Gooi in Bukit Tengah - will the giant slayer slay on, or be slayed?. Susan Loone. Malaysiakini. 5 May 2018. 9 June 2018.
  45. Web site: Ismail Daut terima keputusan gugur. Ismail Daut accepts the drop result. Omar Osman. ms. Berita Harian. 24 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  46. Web site: Padang Serai rep N. Surendran dropped from PKR line-up. Rashvinjeet S. Bedi. Victoria Brown. The Star. 24 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  47. Web site: Pas Kelantan rombak kerusi, gugurkan pemimpin 'harumanis'. Kelantan Pas shuffle seat, drops 'sweet fragrant' leaders. Zaain Zin. Asma Hanim Mahmood. ms. Utusan Malaysia. 25 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  48. Web site: Dua penyandang digugurkan dalam senarai BN Terengganu. Two incumbents were dropped on the BN Terengganu list. Radhuan Hussain. Rosalinda Md Said. Mohd Lazim Endut. ms. Utusan Malaysia. 22 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  49. Web site: Zairil pindah ke Dun Tanjong Bunga. Zairil moved to Tanjong Bunga state constituency. Mohamad Fakhri Mohd Ali. ms. Sinar Harian. 19 April 2018. 9 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162050/http://www.sinarharian.com.my/mobile/edisi/utara/zairil-pindah-ke-dun-tanjong-bunga-1.824172. 12 June 2018. dead.
  50. Web site: 8 muka baru, 9 digugurkan dalam senarai calon DAP Pulau Pinang. 8 new faces, 9 were dropped on the list of Penang DAP candidates. ms. Malaysiakini. 21 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  51. Web site: BN Perak gugur lapan penyandang. Perak BN drops eight incumbents. ms. Sinar Harian. 24 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  52. Web site: DAP tampil enam muka baharu. DAP features six new faces. Saifullah Ahmad. Normawati Adnan. Noor'ainon Mohamed Yusof. ms. Sinar Harian. 20 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  53. Web site: PKR's Lumut MP saddened, but will surrender seat to Amanah. Zulaikha Zulkifli. Yap Jia Hee. Malaysiakini. 9 January 2018. 9 June 2018.
  54. News: MCA sec-gen to calm his disappointed 'brothers and sisters' . Sean . Augustin . April 26, 2018 . Free Malaysia Today . 2 August 2018 . 8 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180908102951/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/04/26/mca-sec-gen-to-calm-his-disappointed-brothers-and-sisters/ . dead .
  55. Web site: 'Palanivel not sacked, but his membership is automatically null and void' - Saravanan. Sathesh Raj. Astro Awani. 18 June 2015. 9 June 2018.
  56. Web site: DAP to send political heavyweights to defend Raub. Free Malaysia Today. 13 January 2018. 9 June 2018.
  57. Web site: 17 muka baharu di Pahang. 17 new faces in Pahang. Abdul Razak Raaff. T N Alagesh. Amin Ridzuan Ishak. Raja Norain Hidayah Abd Aziz. Mohd Azim Fitri Abd Aziz. Asrol Awang. ms. Berita Harian. 26 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  58. Web site: Saifuddin 'ikut' Nasruddin ke Indera Mahkota. Saifuddin 'joined' Nasruddin to Indera Mahkota. Nik Sukry Ramli. ms. Harian Metro. 14 April 2018. 9 June 2018.
  59. Web site: Paya Besar MP dies after falling in bathroom. Bernama. Malaysiakini. 12 February 2018. 9 June 2018.
  60. Web site: Rafizi says will not contest in GE14. New Straits Times. 14 March 2018. 14 June 2018.
  61. Web site: PKR's Azmin to defend seats in GE14, Maria Chin to contest in PJ. Ashley Tang. The Star. 23 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  62. Web site: PKR Perak 'import' bekas MP Kapar. Perak PKR 'import' former Kapar MP. ms. Sinar Harian. Astro Awani. 26 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  63. Web site: DAP drops Seng Giaw after 36 years as Kepong MP. Wong Kai Hui. Malaysiakini. 9 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  64. Web site: (Update) No Batu for Tian Chua. Khairah N. Karim. New Straits Times. 4 May 2018. 11 June 2018.
  65. Web site: GE14: Incumbent MP dropped, six new faces in FT BN line-up. Bavani M. Shalini Ravindran. The Star. 22 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  66. Web site: I will not be contesting in GE14: Khalid Ibrahim. Nazura Ngah. New Straits Times. 7 February 2018. 11 June 2018.
  67. Web site: Veteran Isa dropped. Sarban Singh. Yimmie Yong. The Star. 24 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  68. Web site: Teo Kok Seong won't be defending Rasah in GE14. K Pragalath. Berita Daily. 2 April 2018. 11 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143912/https://www.beritadaily.com/teo-kok-seong-wont-defending-rasah-ge14/. 12 June 2018. dead.
  69. Web site: PKR's 2-term Teluk Kemang MP dropped for GE14. Free Malaysia Today. 24 April 2018. 11 June 2018. 24 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200324082317/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/04/24/pkrs-2-term-teluk-kemang-mp-dropped-for-ge14/. dead.
  70. Web site: Malacca BN list: Najib's aide takes Alor Gajah despite revolt, Ali Rustam recontests. Malaysiakini. 23 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  71. Web site: Melaka BN's '24451' formula for victory. Fairuz Zaidan. Amir Mamat. Norizzah Baharudin. Noor Azurin Mohd Sharif. New Straits Times. 23 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  72. Web site: Former DAP Malacca leaders form Justice league. Kong See Hoh. The Sun. 19 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  73. Web site: 45 per cent of Johor candidates are new faces. New Straits Times. 23 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  74. Web site: DAP's Er Teck Hwa not defending Bakri seat in GE14. Tarrence Tan. The Star. 22 March 2018. 11 June 2018.
  75. Web site: PKR swaps Idris with Rashid in Batu Pahat. The Star. 25 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  76. Web site: Khaled leads charge in Johor. Nelson Benjamin. Mohd Farhaan Shah. Steven Daniel. Zunaira Saieed. The Star. 24 April 2018. 11 June 2018.
  77. Web site: MCA seeks to retain Tebrau, PH banks on 'small swing' of Malays. http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20180617141306/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/ge14/2018/03/10/mca%2Dseeks%2Dto%2Dretain%2Dtebrau%2Dph%2Dbanks%2Don%2Dsmall%2Dswing%2Dof%2Dmalays/. dead. 17 June 2018. Soo Wern Jun. Free Malaysia Today. 10 March 2018. 11 June 2018.
  78. Web site: Suspended, but Jumat stays loyal. The Star. 1 May 2018. 14 June 2018.
  79. Web site: DAP's Jimmy and Chan swap seats. Shalina R. The Borneo Post. 15 April 2018. 14 June 2018.
  80. Web site: Sabah BN unveils line-up for GE14, most incumbents retained. Stephanie Lee. Natasha Joibi. Fatimah Zainal. The Star. 26 April 2018. 14 June 2018.
  81. Web site: Pairin to serve one last time. Stephanie Lee. Fatimah Zainal. The Star. 1 May 2018. 27 April 2018.
  82. Web site: Raime Sokong Penuh Semua Calon BN Di Tenom. Raime Highly Supports All BN Candidates In Tenom. ms. Bernama. Malaysian Digest. 3 May 2018. 14 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614121306/http://www.malaysiandigest.com/bahasa-malaysia/736161-raime-sokong-penuh-semua-calon-bn-di-tenom.html. 14 June 2018. usurped.
  83. Web site: Joseph Kurup will not contest in GE14, hands over political baton to his son. The Star. 26 April 2018. 14 June 2018.
  84. Web site: Julian not defending Stampin in parliamentary polls — Chong. The Borneo Post. 6 September 2017. 14 June 2018.
  85. Web site: I won't be contesting in 14th GE, says James Dawos. Jacob Achoi. The Borneo Post. 25 February 2017. 14 June 2018.
  86. Web site: Minister among those dropped from PRS' list of candidates in Sarawak. Sulok Tawie. The Malay Mail. 30 March 2018. 14 June 2018. 14 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614071936/https://www.malaymail.com/s/1611305/minister-among-those-dropped-from-prs-list-of-candidates-in-sarawak. dead.
  87. Web site: Uggah confirms not contesting in GE14. Lian Cheng. The Borneo Post. 25 May 2017. 14 June 2018.
  88. Web site: Party-hopper Mawan can kiss renomination chances goodbye. Free Malaysia Today. 2 April 2018. 14 June 2018. 4 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180604064319/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/04/02/party-hopper-mawan-can-kiss-renomination-chances-goodbye/. dead.
  89. Web site: Norah decides not to defend Tanjong Manis seat in GE14. Samuel Aubrey. The Borneo Post. 20 April 2018. 14 June 2018.
  90. Web site: BN Sarawak pertaruh 15 muka baru. Sarawak BN features 15 new faces. Muhd Amirul Faiz Ahmad. Ekhwan Haque Fazlul Haque. ms. Harian Metro. 24 April 2018. 14 June 2018.
  91. Web site: Entulu not contesting as independent. Peter Boon. The Borneo Post. 27 April 2018. 14 June 2018.
  92. Web site: Incumbent Sibuti MP will not defend seat. Kandau Sidi. New Straits Times. 27 April 2018. 14 June 2018.
  93. Web site: EC chief earns five stars in Bersih's GE Hall of Shame. Malaysiakini. 4 May 2018. 11 May 2018.
  94. Web site: EC responsible for 10 electoral crimes in GE14, Bersih prelim report finds. Chester Tay. Edge Markets. 6 May 2018. 11 May 2018.
  95. Web site: Ahead of GE14, Suhakam spotlights EC's 'declining public confidence'. Malaysiakini. 11 April 2018. 11 May 2018.
  96. Web site: Gerakan man flays EC for 'gerrymandering of the highest order'. Michael Murty. Free Malaysia Today. 3 January 2018. 6 April 2018. 3 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180103203020/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/01/03/gerakan-man-flays-ec-for-gerrymandering-of-the-highest-order/. dead.
  97. Web site: Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak can bank on regional support despite corruption scandal. Adam Harvey. ABC News. 4 May 2018. 11 May 2018.
  98. Web site: Electoral maps for upcoming Malaysia election passed in Parliament. Trinna Leong. Nadirah H. Rodzi. The Straits Times. 28 March 2018. 29 April 2018.
  99. Web site: Study finds Malaysia near bottom in electoral integrity. Looi Sue-Chern. The Malaysian Insight. 1 December 2017. 6 April 2018.
  100. Web site: Wednesday polling day 'undemocratic', says Dr M. Koh Jun Lin. Malaysiakini. 10 April 2018. 11 April 2018.
  101. Web site: Merompak hak rakyat untuk mengundi. Robbing the people's right to vote. Nina Farzuin Md Sharom. ms. Sinar Harian. 10 April 2018. 11 April 2018.
  102. Web site: Bersih 2.0 slams EC's midweek polling date. Adrian Phung. Rajvinder Singh. The Sun. 10 April 2018. 11 April 2018.
  103. Web site: Malaysia election: Weekday polls not new to Malaysia, took place when Mahathir was PM, says BN. The Straits Times. 10 April 2018. 11 May 2018.
  104. Web site: How does postal voting work for Malaysians overseas?. AskLegal. 7 May 2018. 21 May 2018.
  105. Web site: Still no overseas ballots? Expat Malaysians voters upset by delays and an impossible deadline. Tashny Sukumaran. South China Morning Post. 8 May 2018. 11 May 2018.
  106. Web site: The amazing race to send postal ballots back home. Tashny Sukumaran. Malaysiakini. 9 May 2018. 11 May 2018.
  107. Web site: Last-minute rush for Malaysians trying to cast their vote from overseas. Ervin Tan. The Straits Times. 8 May 2018. 11 May 2018.
  108. Web site: Disqualified PKR leader Tian Chua fails in bid to reverse Election Commission's decision. The Straits Times. 4 May 2018. 5 May 2018.
  109. Web site: In Batu, Tian Chua throws support behind indie Prabakaran. May Robertson. The Malay Mail. 4 May 2018. 5 May 2018.
  110. Web site: A Malaysia general election of many firsts from the start. Shannon Teoh. The Straits Times. 28 April 2018. 29 April 2018.
  111. Web site: Out: Six PH nominees, including PKR's V-P. Shannon Teoh. The Straits Times. 29 April 2018. 11 May 2018.
  112. Web site: Don't be judge and jury, election officials told. V Anbalagan. Free Malaysia Today. 29 April 2018. 29 April 2018. 3 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180703120133/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/04/29/dont-be-judge-and-jury-election-officials-told/. dead.
  113. Web site: Dr M: Some officers will do illegal things on orders. Melissa Darlyne Chow. Free Malaysia Today. 29 April 2018. 29 April 2018. 3 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180703031314/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/04/29/dr-m-some-officers-will-do-illegal-things-on-orders/. dead.
  114. Web site: Pork-barrel election pledges are a step back for Malaysian democracy. Nikkei Asian Review. 25 April 2018. 5 May 2018.
  115. Web site: Najib announces RM500 special aid each for DRB-Hicom employees. Joash Ee De Silva. The Star. 27 April 2018. 5 May 2018.
  116. Web site: Najib promises paternity leave, higher minimum wages. Bernama. Free Malaysia Today. 1 May 2018. 5 May 2018. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516224620/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/05/01/najib-promises-paternity-leave-higher-minimum-wages/. dead.
  117. Web site: MEDIA STATEMENT (29 APRIL 2018): BERSIH 2.0 Unveils New Line-up in the Hall of Shame 10 days to Polling Day. Bersih. 5 May 2018.
  118. Web site: BN fetes Sekinchan Chinese folk to feast, music and cash prizes. Annabelle Lee. Wong Kai Hui. Malaysiakini. 1 May 2018. 5 May 2018.
  119. Web site: Despite police report, Jamal Yunos promises Mercedes-Benz giveaway at next 'concert'. The Malay Mail. 2 May 2018. 5 May 2018.
  120. Web site: Sekinchan DAP lodges report against Jamal Yunos. The Star. 2 May 2018. 5 May 2018.
  121. Web site: Jamal rallies troops, hands RM50 to 'workers'. Wong Kai Hui. Malaysiakini. 2 May 2018. 5 May 2018.
  122. Web site: An election campaign Malaysia cannot afford. William Pesek. Nikkei Asian Review. The Edge Markets. 10 April 2018. 5 May 2018.
  123. Web site: EC chief, PKR Youth leader inducted into Bersih's 'Hall of Shame'. Malaysiakini. 29 April 2018. 11 May 2018.
  124. Web site: Dr Mahathir exposes May 9 political maneuvering. New Straits Times. 20 November 2018. 21 November 2018.
  125. Web site: Malaysia election: Seven countries confirm participation as foreign observers for May 9 vote. The Straits Times. 10 April 2018. 12 April 2018.
  126. Web site: Pemerhati antarabangsa pantau PRU14 tiba di Malaysia. International observers for PRU14 arrived in Malaysia. ms. Bernama. Astro Awani. 7 May 2018. 7 May 2018.
  127. Web site: International observers arriving in Malaysia for GE14. Bernama. The Sun. 7 May 2018. 7 May 2018.
  128. Web site: 【 GE14 】Malaysiakini Live Reports and Results. Live Malaysiakini. 12 June 2018.
  129. Web site: Standoff at Taman Dato' Harun polling centre after 5pm deadline. Malaysiakini. 9 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  130. Web site: EC told to extend voting period due to long queues. Malaysiakini. 9 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  131. Web site: Unofficial: BN wins P220 Baram. Bernama. The Edge Markets. 9 May 2018. 13 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613085004/http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/unofficial-bn-wins-p220-baram. 13 June 2018. dead.
  132. Web site: Unofficial: BN has won 15 seats, PKR 12, Warisan 1 and Independent 1. Bernama. The Edge Markets. 9 May 2018. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142813/http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/unofficial-bn-has-won-15-seats-pkr-12-warisan-1-and-independent-1. 12 June 2018. dead.
  133. Web site: Sarawak BN tight-lipped over next move till new Federal Government formed. Geryl Ogilvy. The Star. 10 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  134. Web site: Unofficial — Warisan wins P189 Semporna. Bernama. The Edge Markets. 9 May 2018. 13 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180613085634/http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/unofficial-%E2%80%94-warisan-wins-p189-semporna. 13 June 2018. dead.
  135. Web site: Sabah ends its days as being BN's 'fixed deposit' state. Today Online. 25 May 2018. 13 June 2018.
  136. Web site: BN's big names toppled, one after another. Nadirah H. Rodzi. The Straits Times. 10 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  137. Web site: Unofficial tallies show Pakatan retaining Penang with bigger majority. The Star. 9 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  138. Web site: Pakatan strengthens grip on Selangor. The Star. 10 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  139. Web site: MCMC ordered at least 11 ISPs to block M'kini GE14 sites. Malaysiakini. 19 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  140. Web site: Malaysia election 2018 results: WATCH locals RIOT after claiming to find FAKE ballot boxes. Aurora Bosotti. Daily Express (UK). 9 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  141. Web site: Riot police called in at Ayer Hitam results centre. Justin Ong. Channel NewsAsia. 9 May 2018. 12 June 2018. 16 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180616004637/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-election-riot-police-ayer-hitam-results-centre-ge14-10218472. dead.
  142. Web site: Mahathir claims Pakatan has won Putrajaya (updated). The Star. 9 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  143. LIVE: Keputusan KUPAS PRU14. LIVE: PEEL OFF Results PRU14. ms. KiniTV. YouTube. 9 May 2018. 12 June 2018. 9:32:24.
  144. News: Night of drama, confusion at 14th Malaysian General Elections. Today Online. 10 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  145. Web site: Key moments that defined a dramatic day post GE14. Jordan Barnes. The Malay Mail. Yahoo! News Singapore. 11 May 2018. 12 June 2018. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141505/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ge14-key-moments-defined-dramatic-002223490.html. dead.
  146. Web site: BN's night of despair and delusion. Jahabar Sadiq. The Malaysian Insight. 28 May 2018. 13 June 2018.
  147. Web site: The week that Malaysian leader Najib's world fell apart. Tom Westbrook. A. Ananthalakshmi. Liz Lee. John Chalmers. John Chalmers. Philip McClellan. Reuters. 15 May 2018. 13 June 2018.
  148. Web site: Malaysia's Najib goes quietly, sunk by scandal. Praveen Menon. Rozanna Latiff. Raju Gopalakrishnan. John Chalmers. Reuters. 10 May 2018. 22 June 2018.
  149. Web site: Barisan Nasional leaders gather at PM Najib's home for 'high-level meeting': Reports. Lydia Lam. The Straits Times. 10 May 2018. 13 June 2018.
  150. Web site: Hung state assembly in Perak. Bernama. 10 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  151. Web site: Najib: BN did not cheat in GE14, we accept the verdict of the people. Victoria Brown. Farik Zolkepli. Rahimy Rahim. The Star. 10 May 2018. 12 June 2018.
  152. Contested in Sepanggar
  153. Contested in Ayer Hitam
  154. Contested at Indera Mahkota
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