A study of democracy and the political change in Malaysia

Abstract

The 14th General Election held May 9, 2018 ended the 61 year of the ruling BN since its independence. Malaysia democracy remained monopolized by the ruling elite and dominated by strong state. This paper analysed at the historical and political change of Malaysia through different phases that characterizes Malaysia democracy. It was started during the colonial period. Then, the Post-1969 Political Structure and the New Economic Policy. Third is the Islam and its role in the government. Then the next section looks on how the process of democratization started to develop in Malaysia by new pattern of participation of the people such as through Reformasi Movement and how the Internet play its role. They started to challenge the government. Lastly, the assessment of the end of the ruling BN government and the manipulation in the government occurred. It remains in question whether the 2020 change of the government truly the change of Malaysian democracy.