Race will again be central in Malaysian politics
Significance Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition wrested power from the BN last May, promising in campaigning to move away from race as the basis of politics. Malaysia’s constitutionally enshrined ‘Bumiputera’ policy privileges the country’s Malay and indigenous majority. Impacts Any efforts to attenuate Bumiputera privileges would reduce Malay support for the PH. The PAS may intensify calls for Islamic criminal punishments. Mahathir will come under increasing pressure to clarify his plans for transferring power to coalition partner Anwar Ibrahim.