ABSTRACT
In the first part of Chapter 10, Malaysia, the political history of the country is recounted since its independence from Britain in 1959. This account includes discussion of the country’s multi-ethnic demography, violent race riots in 1969, and the resultant political “Bargain” that produced three decades of rule by the multi-ethnic Barisan Nasional coalition of political parties, which was defeated only recently in the historic 2018 election. The latter part of the chapter begins with an examination of the country’s key political institutions and social groups, namely the country’s key political parties, its royal institutions, federal parliament, and the role of political Islam. A section devoted to state-society relations and democracy follows which examines Malaysia’s long-standing illiberal democracy that is now liberalizing under a new party coalition, the Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope), led by former prime minister, Mahathir bin Mohamed. A brief examination of the country’s economy and development follows noting the county’s remarkable economic success, problems with corruption, and 30 years of affirmative action polices under the New Economic Policy (NEP). The chapter closes with an overview of Malaysia’s foreign affairs including its relations with regional powers, ASEAN, China, Japan, and the United States. A map of Malaysia is included for geographical reference.
