Former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has emphasized the need for Malaysia to transition to a two-party political system to prevent the instability that followed the 15th General Election. Speaking at the launch of Syed Hamid Albar's book "Idealis," Dr. Mahathir highlighted the consequences of a fragmented political landscape, which led to a hung Parliament and a coalition government that, he claims, lacks genuine popular support.
Reflecting on Malaysia's current political climate, Dr. Mahathir pointed to the weakening of once-dominant parties like UMNO, which he said has fractured into five smaller entities. “When there is a split, you become weak. UMNO, which once ruled for over 70 years, has divided into five weaker parties. This fragmentation dilutes support, leaving no single party strong enough to secure a majority,” he said.
The aftermath of the 15th General Election, which saw no single coalition or party securing a clear mandate, underlined the risks of such division. Dr. Mahathir described the resultant government as one that was not chosen by the people, arguing that it does not reflect the public's true will. “What we have now is a government that is not liked by the people,” he remarked.
Drawing comparisons with established democracies like the United States and the United Kingdom, Dr. Mahathir suggested that Malaysia adopt a system with two dominant political parties. He pointed to the Republicans and Democrats in the US as a model for ensuring more straightforward governance. “With only two parties, the one that wins can form a government. This avoids the complications of coalition politics,” he explained.
Dr. Mahathir asserted that such a system would ensure a stable administration that genuinely represents voter preferences. “If we want to solve this problem, we need to transition to a two-party system,” he emphasized.
Malaysia’s current coalition government emerged after prolonged negotiations following the November 2022 general election. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was eventually appointed the country’s 10th Prime Minister, securing support from a coalition of MPs spanning Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), Warisan, and other smaller groups.
Despite Pakatan Harapan winning the largest share of seats with 82, it fell short of the simple majority needed to govern independently. Perikatan Nasional secured 73 seats, Barisan Nasional 30, Gabungan Parti Sarawak 23, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah six, and Warisan three. Two independent candidates were also elected.
The fragmented results highlighted the challenges of Malaysia's multiparty system, where no single entity can reliably command a majority. According to Dr. Mahathir, this setup forces compromises that undermine the government’s stability and ability to reflect the people’s will.
By advocating for a shift to a two-party framework, Dr. Mahathir hopes to pave the way for stronger governance and a more cohesive political system, reducing the risk of future electoral deadlocks and unsteady coalitions.
Information Source: FMT
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