BACHELOR’S IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

GROUP ASSIGNMENT (II)

SUBJECT POLITICAL SCIENCE

NAME:
SUBJECT CODE: BEM 3232
BATCH: 5A AND 5B
WORTH: 20%
DUE DATE: 08th JANUARY 2024
LECTURER: MS. PREMA DARMALINGGAM

STUDENTS
NAME & 1)YASHINI D/O MOHAN (2320022 BLE)
STUDENT 2)THARSHINI D/O MURALLI (2320021 BLE)
ID : 3)KUMUTHA D/O ARUMUKAM (2320019 BLE)
4)YEGAMBARI D/O KUMARESAN (2320025 BLE)
I hereby declare that this assignment is my own original work, and that
no part of this assignment has been copied from any other source or
person except where due acknowledgement is made. Copying without
acknowledgement is plagiarism and will be dealt with severely by the
university college.
Assignmen Late Penalty Final Mark
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TABLE CONTENT

NO CONTENT PAGE

1 INTRODUCTION 1-2

2 CASE STUDY 2-7

3 POLICY RECOMMENDATION 8-14

4 CONCLUSION 14-15
 1

INTRODUCTION

Political parties in Malaysia play a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes and
influencing policy decisions. However, it's important to note that Malaysia's political
landscape has been undergoing shifts and changes, influenced by various factors,
including socio-economic issues, ethnic diversity, and evolving voter preferences. The
last general election in Malaysia before my knowledge cutoff in January 2022 was
held in May 2018. During this election, several political parties utilized diverse
strategies to engage voters and gain support. The two primary coalitions were the
Barisan Nasional (BN), which had been in power for over six decades, and the
Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, presenting itself as an alternative promising reforms
and changes. Both coalitions employed extensive campaign tactics, including rallies,
social media outreach, and promises related to governance, economy, and social
policies. PH, in particular, leveraged dissatisfaction with existing governance and
highlighted promises of anti-corruption measures, institutional reforms, and improved
governance.
The 2018 general election results were historic, with the PH coalition
winning and forming the government, marking the first change in government since
Malaysia's independence in 1957. This election outcome underscored the influence of
political parties in shaping electoral results and determining the direction of policies.
Regarding subsequent policy decisions, the PH government initiated various reforms,
such as the abolishment of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), introducing a new
sales and services tax, launching anti-corruption measures, and reviewing major
infrastructure projects. However, it's crucial to note that political developments in
Malaysia might have evolved since then, and the post-election scenarios, including
policy decisions, could have witnessed changes or reversals by subsequent
governments.
Enhancing transparency and public engagement in the political process is vital
for a healthy democracy. Recommendations might include Strengthening
transparency laws.Implementing robust laws that mandate transparency in campaign
financing, government spending, and decision-making processes. Civic education and
awareness which is 0romoting programs to educate citizens on their rights, the
electoral process, and the significance of active participation in politics. Furthermore
strengthening independent oversight bodies, empowering independent agencies to
 2

monitor elections, ensure accountability, and investigate any misconduct or

corruption. Utilizing technology for transparency. Leveraging digital platforms to
provide accessible information on policies, government activities, and budget
allocations. Encouraging inclusive dialogue, Creating platforms for inclusive public
discussions and consultations on policy matters to involve diverse perspectives and
foster trust in the decision-making process.

CASE STUDY
The fifteenth General Election (GE15) in Malaysia, a pivotal electoral occasion hung
on December 19, 2022, represents a historical juncture that has indelibly imprinted
itself upon the annals of the nation's political history. The anticipation preceding this
election became palpable, as residents awaited the unfolding of a democratic method
that promised now not simplest the choice of recent representatives but additionally
the capacity for transformative shifts in the US's political panorama. This incredibly
awaited electoral exercise witnessed now not only most effective the casting of votes
but also a palpable shift inside the political tectonics because it ushered in outcomes
that reshaped strength dynamics and brought novel alliances.
In Malaysian politics, the landscape has historically been shaped by the
dominance of two important coalitions: Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan
(PH) BN led by Umno, a strong political force, for more than six years until its
completion in the 2018 general election (GE14) used in. Then, after the vote was
changed upwards (GE14), the set jogging known as PH addressed issues. But their
precious time has been a mess because donors couldn’t step aside and politics hid
change.
To understand the profound nature of GE15, one ought to resolve the difficult
threads of political evolution that preceded it. The state's political landscape, once
characterized by way of the hegemony of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the next
historical regime exchange in the 14th General Election of 2018, witnessed the
upward thrust and next fall of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition led with the aid of
Mahathir Mohamad. This marked the beginning of a segment riddled with internal
strife and political turbulence, culminating in Mahathir's resignation in 2020 and
thrusting the nation into a generation of unparalleled political flux. This departure
 3

catapulted Malaysia into a prolonged state of political uncertainty, marked by strength

struggles and competing factions vying for ascendancy.
After PH took over and more problems arose, a new political group called the
Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition became an important player. Muhyiddin Yassin,
former Home Minister in the PH government and PN leader got support from many
different lawmakers of that party. He also won help from some teams who were part
BN coalition earlier. These political forces came together to form a new government
in March 2020. However, the PN's validity was always questioned by using rivalry.
This added more problems to Malaysia’s political picture and created a situation of
increased stress and trouble there.
Public unhappiness with how the PN leaders handle COVID-19 makes GE15
more complicated. While the state was dealing with two big problems - a bad health
situation and money troubles, people criticized about seeming poor management.
Some said corruption existed too. This made everyone lose trust in their leaders so
they wanted something new to lead them instead.
In this big political fight, a strong person against politics named Anwar
Ibrahim became an important choice. His return to politics, which showed strong
leadership and a determination not to let corruption happen again, made people in
Malaysia very excited. Anwar's journey, from spending prison time for political
reasons to leading the People's Justice Party (PKR), placed him as a strong opponent
and gathering force in this group of people fighting together against it.
In July 2022, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down. This led to a
surprising election in Malaysia known as GE15. This choice was changed due to long-
term problems with the government. Now, people don't believe that it works well and
there are issues in PN organizations too. The group in charge of elections, or short
"EC", chose December 19th because that was the day for people to vote. This is how
all people can use their proper given via the use of democracy on that date:
When the country was about to vote in GE15, groups who were competing - the
PH coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim and the BN coalition with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
at the top as well PN group under Muhyiddin Yassin - all worked hard. Their
campaigns talked about big issues like job money spending problems and health care.
Each company shared its separate plans in documents called manifestos. They wanted
to change the ideas of many people all in one smart way.
 4

The massive result from the vote confirmed a piece of surprise. It showed in
eighty-two seats for parliament, the PH coalition gained but they did not get
sufficient. They needed the simplest one greater rating to have complete control by
missing simply over a total factor. The BN team received 30 spots, and the PN group
did plenty higher by way of getting 73 in total. In the ultimate seats, small events and
people not formerly in any institution got places. This brought about an identical
result or dangling Parliament where no unmarried birthday party has a majority. This
was an important time in Malaysia's politics. Here, no unmarried crew got a big
majority everywhere.
The tale of politics before GE15 would not just display what a kingdom is
changing but also offer pointers about the troubles and probabilities Malaysia can
have. Different political events speak and partnerships to make a team government
and stop the politics standstill. Big changes have altered how we're ruled in Malaysia's
history. This has come about from changing its regulations for energy fight issues.
The freshly elected government needs to face hard problems head-on. It has a big task
ahead of it with many hard problems coming their way beneath the new management.
These incorporate getting businesses up and strolling again, managing
dishonesty problems, and letting humans stay together peacefully. They should kind
this out due to the fact Malaysia is full of many one-of-a-kind sets like tribes and
religions all adding something amazing while putting together colors in garments or
images on walls if they invent the right gear.

STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY POLITICAL PARTIES

Malaysia’s 15th General Election (GE15) is an important event in Malaysian politics.
Different political parties used different strategies to gain support and win. The
strategies used by political parties in the 15th Malaysian General Election (GE15)
were varied and aimed at maximizing their chances of winning. Finally, these
strategies effectiveness varies, and the outcome of GE15 shaped the political
landscape in Malaysia.
1. Campaigning
During GE15, political events held extensive campaigns to hook up with citizens.
They set up gatherings, talks in public, and door-to-home conferences. These had
been prepared for going in conjunction with the electorate of their group while selling
what they believed became essential as a team. These tasks allowed parties to speak at
 5

once with the electorate, tell them about their regulations, and make humans privy to
who they are.
2. The Impact of social media
In the virtual age, political events have identified the energy of social media and have
used structures including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to connect to voters. They
used the scale and availability of these packages to construct teams, increase plans,
expand proposals, and communicate with sponsors. It’s essential to create a strong
line on social media structures, hook up with a much wider audience, and advantage
guide.
3. Building Coalitions
Political parties made alliances or alliances with other parties for you to grow their
probabilities of winning. These coalitions enabled parties to pool sources, proportion
expertise, and gift harmony to the electorate. Teams can work together to bolster their
collective impact, extend their sponsorship base, and increase their possibilities of
success.
4. Policy commitments:
In GE15, the parties made plans describing what they would do and suggesting
changes to make good adjustments. The promise of better jobs, schooling, health care,
and built-up structures was given to get people to vote. These policy promises were
planned to deal with people's worries and dreams. They also show what the party sees
as this country's future choice in vision.
5. Candidate Selection
Political events carefully chose candidates who had a strong appeal to the public, were
honest, and could connect with voters. They thought about things like experience, the
way they looked in public, and their music records. This helped make sure their
choice of people was correct. Parties realized how important it was to find candidates
who they could connect with and prepare. They needed these people to speak their
party message correctly.
6. Targeted advertising campaign
Teams aimed their campaign messages at certain groups or sectors. They figured out
main problems that affected certain types of voters and made messages to deal with
those worries. If parties know what different voters need and want most, they can talk
to them in a more personal way. This makes it easier for the party to get their support
when elections come around.
 6

7. Grassroots Mobilization
Political happenings relied on volunteers and party members to gather support from
the ground up. These volunteers were very important. They helped to plan parties,
knocked on people's doors, and shared happy birthday greetings. Events that draw
people from the beginning in their local areas can create private links and build trust
among groups.
8. Voter Education
Political parties realized that teaching voters about the voting process, their rights, and
how important their vote is was necessary. Campaigns were done to teach people
about voting. They told the public how elections worked, why it's important to join in
democracy and what effect their choice could have on making the country different
moving forward.

9. Bad advertising
Some political parties in the latest election, GE15, have used mean tactics to
campaign. But this doesn't only happen there. This involved going after good rival
businesses, showing their flaws, or talking bad about other rivals. These were
candidates for a job position in a team. The mean campaign was used to hurt the
image and honesty of rivals, trying to make voters support that group.
10. Ethnic and Religious Appeals
In Malaysia, where racial and religious differences are a big part of politics, some
parties used plans to appeal just to distinct ethnic or prayer people groups. They made
messages and rules that agreed with the needs or worries of those businesses, wanting
to get their help and votes.

Election 15, which happened on November 19th in the year two thousand twenty-
two was a big game that made Malaysian politics different. This made political parties
and groups fight hard for voters' backing. Each one wanted to be liked by the
electorate. The vote has caused big differences in government and parliament. This
made a large effect on making laws.

When the new leaders got in charge, how decisions were made
changed. Chosen leaders, inspired by their party's roadmap and promises made during
campaigns started putting into place rules that matched with what they wanted for the
 7

country. These rules aimed to please voters fears and dreams while also confronting
big problems our nation faces.

One of the important things effects of the election effects became the creation of
policy modifications and reforms. The new government sought to fulfil their election
guarantees by enacting policies that reflected the dreams and wishes of the electorate.
This blanketed initiatives in areas which include training, healthcare, monetary
improvement, and social welfare. These policy adjustments aimed to enhance the
lives of Malaysians and result in fantastic variations in society.

Furthermore, the election outcomes additionally had implications for the

opposition events. While they may now not have shaped the authorities, they played a
vital function in holding the ruling birthday party accountable. The opposition
supplied checks and balances, making sure that the authorities’ policies had been
scrutinized and evaluated. This dynamic contributed to a stronger policy-making
technique, as exclusive thoughts and views had been taken into consideration.

It's key to remember that GE15 elections showed what people wanted. United
by voting, these chosen people must stand up for the wants and worries of their voters
no matter which political party they belong to. These people worked important in
deciding what should be done first and made sure that government actions were
connected with the needs and hopes of those they helped.

To put it simply, the 15th Malaysian election affected how votes turned out and
made changes in rules. The election results caused the government and parliament to
change. The party in power put policies into practice according to their promises
made during elections. Even when it comes down for getting government liability on,
or supporting how rules are being created through a long conversation - always
important too. For sure both sides have been pivotal here. The people's choice in the
election was finally heard, and it changed decisions about issues that matter to
Malaysians.
 8

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Depth of policy recommendations

Analysing the depth of political parties' impact on electoral outcomes and policy
decisions in Malaysia involves delving into various facets such as historical context,
party strategies, electoral results, and policy outcomes. A case study of a recent
general election would entail examining campaign tactics, voter demographics, party
manifestos, and their alignment with subsequent policy implementation.
To enhance transparency and public engagement, potential recommendations might
include:

● Strengthening Electoral Processes: Implementing measures to ensure fair

elections, including transparent funding of campaigns, impartial electoral

commissions, and robust oversight of election procedures.

Increasing Civic Education:

● Promoting public awareness about political processes, parties' ideologies, and

policy implications to empower voters with informed choices.

Enhancing Public Consultation:

● Creating mechanisms for citizens to participate in policy formulation and

decision-making through town hall meetings, online forums, or participatory

platforms.

Encouraging Media Pluralism and Accountability:

● Fostering a diverse media landscape that provides balanced coverage of

political activities while holding parties accountable for their actions and
promises.

Improving Accountability and Transparency of Political Parties:

● Requiring parties to disclose their funding sources, assets, and expenditures to

mitigate corruption risks and increase accountability.

 9

Encouraging Inter-Party Dialogue and Collaboration:

● Promoting cooperation among political parties to prioritize national interests

over partisan agendas, fostering consensus-building for effective policy

implementation. The effectiveness of these recommendations would depend
on various factors such as political will, societal acceptance, and institutional
capacity.

Feasibility and practicality

● Feasibility

The Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has demanded that Nga Kor Ming, the minister of
housing and local government, reveal the results of feasibility studies his ministry
carried out to bring back local council elections. After Umno and PAS criticized
Kuala Lumpur DAP chairman and Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai's recent proposal for
Putrajaya to begin local government elections in the capital city first, Nga stated that
the government was not in a rush to reinstate local council elections. The DAP deputy
chairman, Nga, stated that the ministry was currently more concerned with
implementing 5,000 public facilities annually than it was with local council elections.
PSM secretary-general A Sivarajan informed Nga in a statement today that Zuraida
Kamaruddin, one of his predecessors, had stated in 2018 that she was optimistic local
council elections might be place in the ensuing three years (by 2021). According to
Sivarajan, Zuraida informed the Dewan Rakyat on July 14, 2020, that multiple
feasibility assessments on municipal elections had been carried out during 2018 and
2019. He declared, "We demand that Nga make the study results public so that we can
evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of local elections objectively." Sivarajan pointed
out that Zuraida had also informed the Dewan Rakyat that papers on public opinion
on local council elections were to be prepared by an operational committee consisting
of community leaders and non-governmental organizations. In addition, he said,
Zuraida said the committee would be charged with implementing public education
campaigns to help the general public comprehend its function in the event that the
elections were held. On August 6, 2020, Zuraida did, however, state that Perikatan
Nasional will not proceed with local elections because to opposition from Umno MPs.
 10

Local council elections, according to Sivarajan, are a crucial part of a functioning

democracy because they enable representatives, senators, and local council members
to fulfil their respective but distinct “clearly defined roles” without interfering with
one another. PSM contends that the rakyat should prioritize local council elections
and that the government shouldn't give in to baseless anxieties stemming from ethno-
racial disputes," he stated.

● Practicality

Experts claim that holding the state and general elections concurrently can increase
voter turnout, making the proposition realistic. Having the state and general elections
simultaneously, according to political scientist Professor Datuk Dr. Nasrudin
Mohammed, would be a national exercise and might foster a pack mentality that will
spark interest, attention, and passion above and above the usual. "Among other things,
this idea is an excellent one because it saves money and time. But planning and
administration are extremely complicated, particularly for the Election Commission
(EC). While it is not impossible, conducting state and federal elections at the same
time requires careful consideration of a number of factors, including those pertaining
to the government, political parties, and voters. Future state and general elections
should be held concurrently, according to Negri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan (PH)
chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, because it is simpler and saves people money
by avoiding the need to travel back to their hometowns many times to cast ballots.
According to him, there was a decline in voter turnout in nearly every voting stream
in Saturday's (Aug. 12) six state polls. This could be because it is more difficult to
obtain employer permission to vote. At 74.79 percent, Terengganu had the largest
proportion of voters in the state polls. Kedah came in second with 73.86 percent,
Penang third with 72.67 percent, Selangor second with 72 percent, Negri Sembilan
second with 68.35 percent, and Kelantan third with 60.96 percent. Speaking about the
percentage of voters present, Nasrudin noted that the state polls this time revealed a
different voter attitude trend than in the previous general election. This difference was
mostly due to local concerns, prices, and the inconvenient timing of returning to one's
voting districts.
 11

He claimed that voters on the East Coast, particularly in Terengganu, were unaffected
by these circumstances since they had a strong dedication and a very concentrated
attitude toward political engagement through elections.
Voters in Kelantan, on the other hand, were certain that the ulama leadership, through
PAS, is nearly difficult to overthrow. This was especially true when problems such as
DAP, which is purported to have a significant influence on the political decisions
made by the current government, were often discussed on social media. The
percentage (of voter turnout) for Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan
showed voters leaned towards issues in their localities and also reflected their level of
confidence in the expected election results," according to him. Dr. G. Manimaran, a
political analyst, stated that the suggestion to hold state and general elections
concurrently in the future should be taken into consideration because, from his
observations, many people are unsure of the necessity of voting in separate elections.
Some people question why they still need to cast their ballots in the state polls this
time around given that the general election has already taken place. Particularly the
younger generation, who are less exposed to the electoral process and the significance
of voting in the creation of the government, do not perceive the differences. Because
of this, I believe that election literacy is also necessary in order to convey to the
community the idea that filing and disclosing income tax returns is just as vital as the
election process ". The book "Pilihan Raya Demokrasi Malaysia: Tanding, Pilih,
Tadbir dan Menang" expressed optimism that the European Community may offer
resources to facilitate citizens' future rights fulfilment. He stated that one way to
ensure that those who are unable to return to their home states due to time limits,
work obligations, or financial constraints can still fulfil their responsibilities is by
setting up central polling places in states that do not hold elections.

Alignment with case study insight

Malaysia's 15th General Election on 19 November 2022 has been widely regarded as
the most fiercely contested since the nation's independence in 1957, with a total of
945 candidates from six coalitions of parties and other factions vying for the 222 seats
in parliament. The election resulted in a hung parliament—the first of its kind in
Malaysia's federal history. This outcome demonstrated the lack of institutionalization
of coalition politics in the country. All these developments took place in the wake of
 12

Malaysia's historic 14th General Election in May 2018, which marked a major turning
point in the country's politics, ushering in a new era of shifting alliances and ending
the long-standing domination of a single coalition. Instability in Malaysia's political
system was evident in the 15th General Election as no party or coalition was able to
win a majority of seats. Consequently, parties and coalitions engaged in inter- and
intra-coalition bargaining to form a governing coalition. A coalition government was
formed but political instability continues.
Malaysia’s 15th General Election (GE15) is an important event in Malaysian politics.
Different political parties used different strategies to gain support and win. The
strategies used by political parties in the 15th Malaysian General Election (GE15)
were varied and aimed at maximizing their chances of winning. Finally, these
strategies effectiveness varies, and the outcome of GE15 shaped the political
landscape in Malaysia.
One of the important things effects of the election effects became the creation of
policy modifications and reforms. The new government sought to fulfil their election
guarantees by enacting policies that reflected the dreams and wishes of the electorate.
This blanketed initiatives in areas which include training, healthcare, monetary
improvement, and social welfare. These policy adjustments aimed to enhance the
lives of Malaysians and result in fantastic variations in society.
Furthermore, the election outcomes additionally had implications for the opposition
events. While they may now not have shaped the authorities, they played a vital
function in holding the ruling birthday party accountable. The opposition supplied
checks and balances, making sure that the authorities’ policies had been scrutinized
and evaluated. This dynamic contributed to a stronger policy-making technique, as
exclusive thoughts and views had been taken into consideration.
It's key to remember that GE15 elections showed what people wanted. United by
voting, these chosen people must stand up for the wants and worries of their voters no
matter which political party they belong to. These people worked important in
deciding what should be done first and made sure that government actions were
connected with the needs and hopes of those they helped.
In a November 2020 national survey, Malay voters' satisfaction with the federal
government was higher than non-Malay voters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
survey revealed that 87% of Malay voters were satisfied with the government's
performance in managing the pandemic and helping those in need during the
 13

pandemic, while only 47% of Chinese voters felt the same. However, 85% of Malay
voters felt that the PN government protects the interest of the Malays, while 77% of
non-Malay voters believed the government does not treat all races equally.
Another survey conducted in Peninsular Malaysia found that Malay voters split
between supporting either BN (44%) or PN (20%), with only 6% openly expressing
their support for PN. By May 2022, it was clear that among the non-Malay voters, PH
was the most preferred choice while PN was the least desirable coalition.
The BN-led government's approval rating showed a steep decline from 50% in
September 2021 to 31% in October 2022. During this period, several important events
affected Malay voters' appreciation of the two principal government parties, Parti
Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) and UMNO. In March 2021, UMNO
leadership passed a resolution to end cooperation with BERSATU after that electoral
term, leading to the withdrawal of support by several UMNO MPs and the collapse of
Muhyiddin Yasin's prime ministership.
At the end of the campaign, the percentage of Malay voters who expressed their
support for PN increased to 32.4%, while BN was trailing behind at 21.3%. However,
about 30% of Malay voters preferred Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister candidate,
followed by Ismail Sabri (18%) and Anwar Ibrahim (8%).
On average, about 57% of Malay voters chose PN. Non-Malay voters were more
forthright in expressing their support for PH, with the percentage of Chinese voters
who expressed their support increasing from 57.5% at the beginning of the campaign
to 69.1% a day before polling day. Indian voters expressed a similar party choice,
with 59.8% of them voting for PH. Anwar Ibrahim's approval rating among non-
Malay voters was 65%, followed by Muhyiddin Yassin, Ismail Sabri, Hadi Awang,
and Zahid Hamidi. Based on these findings and actual election results, it is estimated
that over 80% of non-Malay voters voted for PH.
This paper examines the impact of malapportionment on a party's seat wins. It shows
that PH won most seats in non-Malay majority and marginal Malay-majority areas,
while BN and PN won mainly in large Malay majority areas. Among 86
parliamentary seats, PN won 67 seats (78%), BN 13 seats (15.1%), and PH 6 seats
(6.9%). PH won 46 seats (97.9%) and BN 1 seat (2.1%), while PN did not win any
non-Malay majority seats. Even though there have been major changes to Malaysian
politics in the last 20 years, ethnicity continues to play a major role in determining the
results of elections. A transition from one coalition to another for government
 14

becomes increasingly likely as the prevailing party structure is steadily dismantled.

The development of rival political parties in new political realignments is a new trend
that suggests more active democratic competition in a nation where race has
historically been the primary element maintaining the status quo in politics.
Malaysia's political divide remains ethnic, with the opposition coalition receiving the
most Malay support, and the ruling coalition leading the government. Reforms seen as
a threat to the Malays could impact political stability and the coalition's cohesiveness.
Race remains a key factor determining voter preference, despite the recent democratic
progress in the country.

CONCLUSION

While the Malaysian political landscape has significantly changed over the past two
decades, ethnicity remains a key factor determining electoral outcome. With the
dominant party system gradually ended, the change of government from one coalition
to another becomes highly possible. The emergence of new political realignments
comprising rival political parties is a new trend; this points to more vibrant
democratic contestation in a country where race has hitherto been the main factor
conserving the political status quo.
However, more vibrant democratic contestation does not suggest that more
substantive democratic reform and political change are to be expected. Malaysian
politics and society are still divided along ethnic lines. The only difference now is that
the coalition that received the most support from the ethnic Malay majority is in
opposition, while the coalition that received the least support from them is leading the
government. Any attempt at bulldozing reforms which might be seen by the Malays to
be trampling on their special position will have far-reaching implications for political
stability and for the cohesiveness of the loose ruling coalition, which includes the
former dominant party UMNO that still depends on Malay support for its survival. In
Malaysia, the glad tidings of democratic advances should not lull one into ignoring
the existence of race as the perennial key factor determining voter preference.
This National Elections in Malaysia aimed to explore the role of new voters in
GE15 by exploring Selangor's new voters' views on their role in GE15 and the
influence of their votes on the political situation. Guided by the theory of political
 15

efficacy, this research took Selangor as the research scope, and used qualitative
research methods to collect data through focus group discussions on seven new
Selangor voters of different races. By analyzing the data, this study obtained findings
that can effectively answer the research objectives. At the same time, this study
acknowledged the limitations brought to the study by scope, sample size, and
selection of informants, and also provided suggestions for future research directions.
In order to realize the research objectives of this research, the researcher adopted the
qualitative research method, and conducted semi-structured interviews through focus
group discussions. This data collection method can help the researcher to discuss new
voters’ views in depth with key informants. In the selection of key informants, this
study selected 7 new Selangor voters aged 22 to 24 with a bachelor's degree, whose
gender and race are different to ensure data richness. With the consent of informants,
this study obtained their views on their role in GE15 and the influence of their votes
on the political situation.
Anyhow, several limitations hinder flat conclusion, the researcher provides the
following suggestions for future research directions. The study currently only
addresses qualitative research method to deeply understand the views of new voters
through focus group discussions. Due to the small sample size, the generalization of
the research results is limited. Therefore, in future research, researchers can consider
using quantitative or mixed research methods to gather data from a wider range of
new voters, to better determine the role of new voters in GE15. The scope of this
study is Selangor, and the informants are all new voters from Selangor. The research
results may vary depending on the region. Therefore, in future research, researchers
may consider expanding the scope to other states in Malaysia to investigate whether
there are regional differences in the views of new voters, to make the research results
more accurate.