GE 13 Finally called

Finally, after a long wait and much anticipation, the Malaysian Parliament was dissolved today, signalling that the 13th General Election will soon be called.  The upcoming election will also mean the dissolution of the State Parliaments.The date of the election has been the subject of speculation for a very long time - even two years ago, there was a sense of anticipation that the election was imminent, and that sense has dragged on through crisis after crisis, and prediction after prediction. Speculation as to the date is ongoing - the Electoral Commission has still not set a date.  Malaysian elections are generally a lot shorter than what we are used to here in Australia.  While a seven day official campaigning period is not unheard of, and it is widely expected that the election date will be set for sometime before the end of April.

As most Malaysia watchers will know, the results of the 12th GE were unprecedented, a shock to the whole political system.  After more than 50 years of rule of single party rule, the Opposition won a significant number of seats, enough to make Malaysia look like a mature and active democracy.  The Opposition parties won more than 80 seats in the 222 seat Parliament.  Barisan Nasional, the long ruling coalition was reelected but lost its two thirds majority - significant as the two thirds majority allows for changes to the constitution.

On face value, most Australians would wonder what all the fuss was about.  The Government did not change and indeed 80 seats is not even close to taking power.  But it was indeed a revelation for electors and politicians as to what the possibilities for democracy in Malaysia.  It gave the electorate a glimpse of the power they as voters had always had, but never really believed in or had confidence in.

The extended speculation also signals the changes that the 12th General Election wrought on Malaysian society and political psyche.  The results of the 12th GE completely changed expectations across the board and it is clear to see, whatever side of politics you support, that the landscape has changed irrevocably.  There has indeed been a fresh and renewed interest in all things political and a scrutiny and expectation of transparency that would have seemed unthinkable a decade ago.  How times change.

Many positive outcomes have come from the previous election, including increased transparency, a focus on performance rather than rhetoric, a more engaged and vocal electorate, and accountability for all.  Hopefully the next election will bring even more positive change for Malaysia, no matter which side of politics wins.

I originally wrote this article for 'New Media and the Informed Citizen'.  New Media and the Informed Citizen is Paradigm Infinitum's ongoing comparative study of new media and its impact on politics and citizen engagement in Australia and Malaysia.