Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj from the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) discusses the challenges for Malaysia’s newly formed "government of national unity", headed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim from the Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope).
Jeyakumar Devaraj
Riding the crest of a powerful Bersih (“clean”) democracy movement in the streets, Malaysia’s Pakatan Rakyat (People's Pact) opposition alliance won 53% of the popular vote in the 2013 general election. Gerrymandered electorates, however, ensured they took only 40% of the seats.
Yet as a new general election approaches, likely early next year, the incumbent Barisan Nasional (National Front, BN) government looks set to easily hold on the power.