This article first appeared on 27 April, 2020 on Kill Your Darlings (KYD), one of Australia’s leading arts and culture magazines.By 9pm on 9 May, 2018, the results of the Malaysian general election are just beginning to become clear. My family friend Sham, her two twin daughters and I abandon a shopping trip in Kuala Lumpur once the first results begin to trickle in. We need to be where the action is.
Malaysia’s landmark election on 9 May 2018 saw the National Front (Barisan Nasional) lose its grip on power for the first time in 60 years. The media – both foreign and local – were abuzz with news of the defeat at the hands of the Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) coalition. Many local politicians were cast under the spotlight and this was not limited to former prime minister Najib Razak and new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Malaysian authorities have charged former leader Najib Razak with corruption and criminal breach of trust in connection with a multibillion-dollar scandal surrounding state fund 1MDB.Najib faces three counts of criminal breach of trust, which carry a punishment of up to 20 years in jail and whipping, along with a possible fine.
On 9 May 2018, Malaysians from all walks of life will go to the polls in what has been dubbed “the mother of all elections.” The elections on Wednesday, the country's 14th since gaining independence in 1957, will decide whether the National Front (Barisan Nasional) will continue ruling Malaysia as it has for the past 61 years. If it wins, Barisan Nasional will continue to be the longest ruling political party in the world.This election is unlike any other in Malaysia’s history.
