When Harapan falls in GE16, what then? — Lara Ling

On October 11, speculation has been rampant that Malaysia’s upcoming 16th General Election (GE16) might occur sooner than planned. Following Umno’s recent general assembly meeting, where Ahmad Zahid Hamidi challenged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to either call snap polls or remove Barisan Nasional (BN) from governance, political tensions have escalated.

Recent state election successes for BN, including in Johor, Negeri Sembilan, and forthcoming Malacca, have led some analysts to predict PH's demise in GE16 and a predominantly Malay-Muslim majority government in Putrajaya. This scenario, reminiscent of the Sheraton Move in 2020, would signify a predominantly Malay-Muslim majority government.

The most significant differences from the 2020 event would be an even more toxic political environment and severe consequences for minorities. Firstly, the public sphere in Malaysia could deteriorate further, with intensified racial and religious sentiments, the suppression of moderate voices, and the weaponization of laws like 3R.

Freedom of speech and press freedom would be compromised, and societal polarization would deepen. The Negeri Sembilan state election serves as a reminder of how divisive rhetoric can lead to the downfall of a competent government. Secondly, PAS's presence in the federal government would likely encroach upon the rights, liberties, and freedoms of minorities through religiously motivated controls and bans on activities associated with non-Malay and non-Muslim communities.

With PAS surging in recent state elections, the federal government alliance of BN and PAS poses a significant threat to Malaysia's democratic values, civil liberties, and minority rights. The only way to prevent this outcome is for Malaysians to vote en masse and hold them accountable at the polls.