‘Democratic maturity best measured by achievements in institutional stability, policy clarity and public confidence’
PETALING JAYA: Eight years after Malaysians delivered a historic political earthquake by ending Barisan Nasional’s (BN) six-decade grip on the country’s administration, the nation’s democratic transition is increasingly being seen not as a failed revolution but as an unfinished and turbulent journey.
What began on May 9, 2018 as a euphoric push for reform and accountability has since evolved into a fractured political era marked by collapsing coalitions, party hopping, elite power deals and growing voter fatigue.
In the 14th general election (GE14) in 2018, Pakatan Harapan secured 113 of 222 parliamentary seats, forming the federal government in the first transfer of power away from BN since independence.
However, political analysts say the turbulence that followed may also reflect a democracy still learning to function without a single dominant political force at its centre.
Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Malaysia suceeded in changing after GE14 but the transformation has not reached the depth many Malaysians had envisioned.
“GE14 proved that Malaysia’s democracy had matured in one important aspect, namely the peaceful transfer of federal power after more than six decades of BN dominance.
“However, democratic maturity is not measured solely by the ability to replace a government. “It is also measured through institutional stability, policy clarity, party integrity and public confidence in the political process.”
He said on those fronts, significant gaps remain as Malaysia has seen repeated changes in government, four prime ministers, shifting alliances, coalition breakdowns and institutional controversies that have steadily eroded public trust in politics.
Still, he said the growing sense of political exhaustion does not necessarily signal democratic decline.
“Political fatigue today reflects a democracy that is maturing, but through a process filled with friction rather than one that is smooth or linear.”
Awang Azman said Malaysia’s political landscape has undergone a major structural shift, with no party wielding the dominance Umno once enjoyed under BN.
He stressed that tensions within ruling coalitions should be viewed from two perspectives – fragmentation and normalisation.
“On one hand, they reflect increasing political fragmentation as there is no longer a single dominant coalition capable of controlling the entire landscape as BN once did. On the other hand, this represents part of the normalisation of coalition politics.”
He added that Malaysia is operating within a multipolar parliamentary system in which governance depends more on negotiation and compromise than outright dominance.
However, he said coalition governments risk losing public legitimacy if they are not anchored by policy discipline and a coherent shared direction.
“The challenge arises when coalition politics is not accompanied by policy discipline, a clear common platform and effective conflict resolution mechanisms.
“In such situations, the rakyat may begin to view coalitions as instruments of political survival rather than vehicles for reform.”
Awang Azman said voter behaviour has shifted since 2018, with ideological loyalty replaced by performance-based assessments.
He added that what is more worrying is the growing trend of “least worst option” voting.
Voters are supporting parties not because they are fully convinced by them but because they wish to prevent an alternative they perceive as worse from gaining power.”
He said despite widespread frustration, Malaysians remain politically engaged and are more willing than before to punish parties, switch allegiances and demand accountability.
“This is a sign of a more politically conscious and active democracy,” he added.
However, he said public acceptance of coalition governments does not automatically translate into public confidence.
“When former enemies suddenly become political allies without a convincing moral or policy narrative, the public becomes confused. When reforms are promised but progress remains slow, the public becomes exhausted.
“Malaysians may accept coalition politics, but they will not accept coalition politics that are empty of principles.”
Looking ahead, Awang Azman said the next general election could become a defining test of whether Malaysia’s political class is capable of moving beyond alliance-building towards credible governance.
