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Election Date: March 21, 2004

At Stake: House of Representatives

Background

On Mar. 5, the Malaysian Election Commission announced a parliamentary vote for Mar. 21. King Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail signed a decree dissolving the legislative branch in the Asian country, clearing the way for the early ballot. Malaysian voters were also to elect the regional legislatures in 12 of the country's 13 states.

The ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO)—the biggest party in a coalition of 12 political factions known as the National Front (BN)—has formed the government after every election since the country attained its independence from Britain in 1957.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over as prime minister on Oct. 31, 2003, after the retirement of Mahathir Mohamad, who served for more than 22 years. The new head of government tried to distance himself from his predecessor, by issuing a crackdown on corruption. Abdullah launched an official investigation into the conduct of the police forces, and prosecuted Eric Chia—the former director of national steel company Perwaja—for criminal breach of trust. In February 2004, land and cooperative development minister Kasitah Gaddam was arrested on charges of misappropriation.

Still, Abdullah's standing was affected by a police investigation into the illegal sale of nuclear parts to Libya involving Scomi Precision Engineering, a company headed by his son. Local law enforcement authorities blamed Sri Lankan businessman Buhary Syed Abu Tahir—who allegedly brokered the deal—by claiming that the equipment in question was meant for customers in Dubai.

The fundamentalist Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) made progress in courting voters over the past few years, garnering the support of many Muslims, who make up two-thirds of country's total population. The opposition political organizations complained about the short campaign period, claiming they lacked the resources to effectively challenge the governing coalition.

Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was tabled as Mahatir's successor in the 1990s. Anwar has spent more than five years in jail after a conviction for abuse of power and sexual misconduct, charges he has repeatedly denied. Ibrahim's wife Azizah Ismail formed the National Justice Party (PKN) in 1999.

2004 House of Representatives Election

On Mar. 13, election nominations were officially closed. The parties in the National Front placed more than a quarter of new candidates in their constituencies, and secured 14 legislators outright, after no other contenders were registered in seven seats located in Sabah, six seats in Sarawak and one seat in Johor. In the 1999 election, the BN won only one uncontested seat.

On Mar. 14, prime minister Abdullah issued his coalition's "election manifesto," which calls for a "modern form of Islam" in the country, by fighting poverty, increasing development and battling corruption. PAS secretary general Nasaruddin Isa claimed that the ruling coalition did not "have the right to talk about Islam as long as casinos and gambling outlets are allowed to operate and corruption is condoned."

Turnout for the 1999 vote was tabled at 71 per cent, the lowest in Malaysia's history. 83 per cent of respondents to a Universiti Utara Malaysia/New Straits Times poll said they planned to participate in the election.

Citizens headed to the polls on Mar. 21 with only minor incidents to report. Problems with electoral rolls forced officials to keep the voting booths open for an extra two hours in central Selangor, while the election in one eastern Pahang constituency was cancelled.

Final figures released by the Election Commission showed the ruling National Front with a clear edge over the opposition, winning 198 of the 219 House of Representatives seats in contention. Abdullah won his Penang constituency by 18,122 ballots.

The Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia—a Singapore-based election monitor—received some complaints from voters, ranging from names missing from electoral rolls, to the bussing of voters from one area to another.

The National Front will also control 12 of the 13 state legislatures, with Kelantan remaining as the sole PAS stronghold. In Terangu, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was unable to hold his House seat against BN candidate Abdul Rahman Bakar.

On Mar. 22, Abdullah was officially sworn in as prime minister with the biggest majority in the last three decades.

On Mar. 24, PAS and PKN members accused the Election Commission of aiding the National Front. The complaints mentioned the alleged exclusion of hundreds of names from the electoral roll, as well as the purported registration of a nine-year-old boy as an eligible voter. The opposition members urged the King to form a commission to investigate the problems.

On Mar. 28, the BN won the last remaining seat in Sungai Lembling. The election was repeated because of a problem regarding party symbols in the ballots.

Political Players

King: Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail
Prime minister: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - UMNO

The King is elected to a five-year term by the Council of Rulers.

Legislative Branch: The Parlimen (Parliament) has two chambers. The Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) has 219 members, elected to five-year terms in single-seat constituencies. The Dewan Negara (Senate) has 69 members; two representatives for each of the country's 13 states are elected to six-year terms, and 43 members are appointed.

Results of Last Election:

House of Representatives - Mar. 21, 2004

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