Two Rival Blocs Race to Form Malaysia's next Government

After closely contested general elections in Malaysia failed to deliver a clear winner, the two biggest winners are competing Sunday to forge alliances to create a government, with the country's king to be the final arbiter.

Many Malaysians, who hoped for stability and unity after political turmoil that has seen three prime ministers since 2018 elections, were shocked by the unprecedented hung Parliament that resulted from Saturday's divisive elections that saw the rise of Malay nationalists and threw the nation into a new crisis.

With 73 out of 222 Parliamentary seats, the Malay-centric Perikatan Nasional, or National Alliance, led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, was an underdog that had an unexpected upswing in support.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, its staunchest ally, gained the most seats in parliament, garnering 49, more than double the number it obtained in 2018. It is referred to as PAS, promotes Sharia, and now has power in three states. Fears of a further Islamization of the country have been fanned by its rise.

With 82 federal seats, the reformist alliance of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim won the campaign, although it was well short of the 112 required for a majority.

The United Malays National Organization-led alliance, which has ruled Malaysia since its independence from Britain until 2018, suffered the most. It performed poorly, winning only 30 seats, as many Malays chose Muhyiddin's bloc, which has marketed itself as "caring, clean, and stable," alternative.

"Identity politics had been strengthened by this election. No party now holds an absolute majority, therefore the newly formed coalition government will need to bring the country together "Amir Fareed Rahim, director of strategy and public affairs for the political risk advisory KRA Group, said.

Many rural Malays, who make up two-thirds of Malaysia's 33 million population and include sizable ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, worry that increasing pluralism under Anwar's alliance will result in them losing their rights. This has helped Muhyiddin's bloc, as has corruption inside UMNO.

Two-time former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who at 97 is in charge of a distinct Malay movement, was one of the major election losers. The National Alliance shocked him by defeating him.

The 75-year-old Anwar and Muhyiddin asserted they have enough backing to win a majority but have not given any specifics.

When Muhyiddin met with a representative of the Borneo group on Sunday, he seemed to be in charge. He claimed that talks with other groups are also in progress.

God willing, the formation of the federal government should be possible soon, he said.

Anwar stated at a press conference that he had received written support for a simple majority from legislators. He declared that King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who would have the last say, will receive a submission of this. In Malaysia, the king's role is mostly ceremonial, but he names the prime minister he thinks would have the backing of the majority of lawmakers.

"Most have been secured by us. majority refers to 111 or more "said Anwar.

According to a statement from the palace, Sultan Abdullah has requested that political leaders nominate their choices for both the prime minister and the coalition that will be established to form a majority by Monday. The king asked Malaysians to accept the result in order to ensure a stable administration and declared his decision to be definitive.

When Muhyiddin came to power in March 2020, the government disintegrated as a result of his decision to leave Anwar's alliance and join the UMNO-led coalition. He left the partnership after 17 months due to internal strife.

The support of the political parties that won a combined 32 federal seats in Borneo's two states is essential. A stable administration can be created with the help of UMNO, whose head Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated in a statement that his National Front alliance is willing to put aside disagreements. However, he did not provide any other information.

After UMNO's second crushing defeat in the polls, Zahid, who is defending himself against hundreds of bribery accusations, is under pressure to step down.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the then-prime minister, announced early elections in October after caving to UMNO pressure. Despite a disorganised opposition, it anticipated a great comeback, but the plan failed. Leaders of UMNO will gather later on Sunday to make their choice.