Opposition takes Malaysia in historic polls

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, opposition Prime Ministerial candidate for Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) attends a news conference after general election, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, May 9, 2018. Source: Reuters

By Emma Richards | 10th May 2018 

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, opposition Prime Ministerial candidate for Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) attends a news conference after general election, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, May 9, 2018. Source: Reuters

IN a truly historic vote, Malaysia for the first time since it’s independence has fallen to the opposition coalition on a day that will live in the memory of all Malaysians for a long time to come.

“The Palace has contacted us to tell us that we have achieved an unofficial majority,” opposition leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad told reporters at a press conference in Petaling Jaya at 2.50am on Thursday.

“PKR (People’s Justice Party) achieved a simple majority a long time before the official announcement, but if you add the 14 from Warisan (Sabah Heritage Party), Pakatan Harapan now has a ‘substantial majority.'”

SEE ALSO: Voting kicks off in Malaysia’s crucial polls, big turnout expected

Pakatan Harapan (PH), the victorious coalition, is made up of several political parties forming an alliance – People’s Justice Party (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP), Amanah, Warisan, and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, known as Bersatu.

It is expected Mahathir will be sworn in as the new prime minister of Malaysia later today.

Mahathir said the party would work on acquiring a pardon for PKR’s official leader Anwar Ibrahim who is currently in prison on sodomy charges. He will require a royal pardon to be eligible to take the position of prime minister, as Pakatan Harapan (PH) plan.

As polls opened at 8am on Wednesday, the mood was hopeful for change, but few expected it to come.

Allegations of spoilt ballots flooded social media, but that wasn’t enough to hold back the wave of support for the opposition coalition.

After a close run race that had the nation on tenterhooks, the outcome started to take form when Barisan Nasional lost a number of key seats. Several party leaders lost their seats, including MIC president Dr S Subramaniam for the Segamat seat, MCA president Liow Tiong Lai in Bentong, and Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong in Teluk Intan.

Then the states started to fall. Negri Sembilan and Johor – a frontline state and birthplace of Umno – fell to PH, and Terrenganu was lost to PAS.

For the first time in 60 years, it looked like the mighty BN may fall.

The night took a dramatic turn when Dr Mahathir called a press conference just before midnight to announce an unofficial victory for PH.

Accusing the Election Commission of dragging their feet on signing off seats, he claimed PH had already reached the 112 parliamentary constituencies needed to form government.

SEE ALSO:  Malaysia decides today in ‘Mother of all elections’

While Mahathir was just falling short of a victory lap, Najib was showing signs of retreat, cancelling a long-awaited press conference to address the incoming results.

At 2.50am on Thursday, the Election Commission announced the 112nd seat in favour of PH, making it official – Barisan Nasional was out, Pakatan Harapan was in. And Mahathir Mohamad would once again take his place as the prime minister of Malaysia, 15 years after he stepped down.

This leaves Najib’s future uncertain. Plagued with corruption allegations and embroiled in the 1MDB scandal, people have been calling for the former PM to be investigated and charged.

“We are not seeking revenge,” said Mahathir when asked whether he would pursue charges against Najib.

“All we want is restore rule of law.”

The significance of today’s result for the country cannot be understated.

“Both the system and the society will be shaken up,” head of political studies at the Penang Institute Wong Chin Huat told Asian Correspondent when asked what we can expect from a PH victory.

“Voters will believe that their votes matters. Bureaucrats and police will ditch partisanship towards professionalism. Corruption will be curbed not least because the old rascals will get kicked out.”