Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Malaysia

Last updated • 3 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and affected the political system of Malaysia, causing suspensions of legislative activities and isolation of multiple politicians due to fears of spreading the virus. The onset of the pandemic coincided with a political crisis in early 2020 which continued into 2021 as the spread of COVID-19 and emergency government measures exacerbated initially unrelated political instability, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his cabinet in August 2021. Numerous elections have been postponed or suspended after the 2020 Sabah state election was blamed for a major outbreak in the state that led to the country's third wave. Several politicians have tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.

Contents

General election and government formation

A political crisis in Malaysia coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. [1] The Pakatan Harapan coalition government collapsed, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and eventual replacement with Muhyiddin Yassin and a new Perikatan Nasional coalition, which maintained a small majority. Prime Minister Muhyiddin blamed the 2020 Sabah state election for a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases across the state and country. [2]

In June 2021, the rulers of Malaysia declared that there is no need to extend a state of emergency after 1 August, and parliament should be reopened as soon as possible. [3] The emergency has led to the suspension of all federal parliament and state assembly sittings and also by-elections, among other things, therefore by-elections will need to proceed after 1 August in Sarawak (assembly), Batu Sapi (federal seat), Gerik (federal seat), Bugaya (Sabah state seat) and Melor (Kelantan state seat). [4]

Restriction announcements

A large outbreak at a Tablighi Jamaat religious event and the spread of the virus across the country were thought to have been exacerbated by the political instability, [5] with the new Health Minister, Adham Baba criticizing his predecessor Dzulkefly Ahmad, although there was no clear government responsible at the time. [6] [7] Shortly after a thin government majority was established, the new government announced the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the spread of the virus. [1]

Amid ongoing political instability, Yang di-Pertuan Agong warned politicians in May 2020 that he "would like to advise against dragging the country once again into a political mess that brings uncertainties" given the ongoing health crisis in the country. [8] In January 2021, a State of Emergency was declared, suspending all elections and parliament, and the government were empowered to pass laws without oversight in response to the pandemic and ongoing political instability. [9] This led to the resignation of MP Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub from the party, resulting in the loss of the government's required majority of at least 111 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat. [10] Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim criticised the declaration, saying this was an effort for the government to maintain power and that 115 other MPs were against it. [11]

Instances of isolation and testing

On 17 March 2020, Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (Bandar Kuching member of parliament) tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined at Sarawak General Hospital. He was suspected of having been infected with the virus after meeting Sarikei MP Wong Ling Biu who also tested positive for the virus. [12] He was announced to have recovered on 23 March 2020. [13] Another MP which is Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin member of parliament) tested negative. [14]

List of assemblymen who tested positive for COVID-19

Dewan Negara (Senators)

Dewan Negara

Dewan Rakyat (Members of Parliament)

Dewan Rakyat

Dewan Undangan Negeri (Malaysian State Assembly Representatives)

StateNo.Parliamentary
Constituency
No.State Assembly ConstituencyMemberParty
Flag of Perlis.svg  Perlis P02 Kangar N8 Indera Kayangan Gan Ay LingPKR
Flag of Kedah.svg  Kedah P17 Padang Serai N34 Lunas Azman Nasruddin BERSATU
Flag of Kelantan.svg  Kelantan P30 Jeli N37 Air Lanas Mustapa Mohamed BERSATU
P32 Gua Musang N43 Nenggiri Ab. Aziz YusoffUMNO
N45 Galas Mohd. Syahbuddin HashimUMNO
Flag of Terengganu.svg  Terengganu P40 Kemaman N30 Kijal Ahmad Said UMNO
Flag of Pahang.svg  Pahang P81 Jerantut N9 Tahan Mohd Zakhwan Ahmad BadarddinPAS
P89 Bentong N35 Sabai Kamache Doray RajooDAP
Flag of Selangor.svg  Selangor P97 Selayang N14 Rawang Chua Wei KiatPKR
P105 Petaling Jaya N33 Taman Medan Syamsul Firdaus Mohamed SupriPKR
P106 Damansara N35 Kampung Tunku Lim Yi Wei DAP
P107 Sungai Buloh N39 Kota Damansara Shatiri MansorPKR
P113 Sepang N55 Dengkil Adhif Syan AbdullahBERSATU
Flag of Negeri Sembilan.svg  Negeri Sembilan P132 Port Dickson N33 Sri Tanjong Ravi MunasamyPKR
Flag of Malacca.svg  Malacca P134 Masjid Tanah N3 Ayer Limau Amiruddin YusopUMNO
Flag of Johor.svg  Johor P142 Labis N5 Tenang Mohd. Solihan BadriBERSATU
P146 Muar N15 Maharani Nor Hayati BachokAMANAH
P149 Sri Gading N21 Parit Yaani Amunolhuda HassanAMANAH
P153 Sembrong N30 Paloh Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali DAP
Flag of Sabah.svg  Sabah P168 Kota Marudu N07 Tandek Hendrus Anding PBS
P170 Tuaran N12 Sulaman Hajiji Mohd NorBERSATU
P180 Keningau N39 Tambunan Jeffrey Kitingan STAR
N40 Bingkor Robert Tawik STAR
P188 Lahad Datu N63 Kunak Norazlinah ArifWARISAN
Flag of Sarawak.svg  Sarawak P198 Puncak Borneo N19 Mambong Jerip SusilPBB
Total Perlis (1), Kedah (1), Kelantan (3), Terengganu (1), Pahang (2), Selangor (5), Negeri Sembilan (1), Malacca (1), Johor (4), Sabah (5), Sarawak (1)

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhyiddin Yassin</span> Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2020 to 2021

Mahiaddin bin Md. Yasin, commonly known as Muhyiddin bin Mohd. Yassin, is a Malaysian politician who served as the eighth Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2020 to 2021. Appointed as prime minister amid a political crisis, Muhyiddin served for 17 months and resigned after losing parliamentary support.

This is a timeline of Malaysian history, comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events in Malaysia and its predecessor states. To read about the background to these events, see History of Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ismail Sabri Yaakob</span> Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2021 to 2022

Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob is a Malaysian lawyer and politician who served as the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2021 to 2022. He is both the shortest-serving prime minister, and shortest-serving deputy prime minister. He is also the first prime minister born after the independence of Malaya, the first former Leader of the Opposition to become prime minister, the only prime minister who did not hold the highest position of the governing party or coalition, and the only prime minister to serve without a deputy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian United Indigenous Party</span> Malaysian political party

The Malaysian United Indigenous Party, abbreviated BERSATU or PPBM, is a nationalist political party in Malaysia. The party was preceded by the United Indigenous Association of Malaysia and founded by members of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) rebel group Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia. It is a major component of the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abang Abdul Rahman Johari</span> Malaysian politician, 6th and current premier of Sarawak

Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Abang Openg, popularly known as Abang Jo or Abang Johari, is a Malaysian politician who is currently serving as the head of government of Sarawak since 2017. He has been Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Gedong since 2021, having previously being the MLA for Satok from 1981 to 2021. He is the son of the first Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak, Abang Openg Abang Sapiee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rina Harun</span> Malaysian politician

Rina binti Mohd Harun is a Malaysian politician who served as Minister of Women, Family and Community Development for the second term in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administration in November 2022 and the first term in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin from March 2020 to August 2021, Minister of Rural Development in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from May 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020. She also served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Titiwangsa from May 2018 to November 2022. She has also served as 1st Women Chief of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the PN coalition, since April 2017. Prior to joining BERSATU at its inception in 2016, she was a United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Malaysian general election</span> Election for the Dewan Rakyat in the 15th Parliament of Malaysia

General elections were held in Malaysia on Saturday, 19 November 2022. The prospect of snap elections had been considered high due to the political crisis that had been ongoing since 2020; political instability caused by coalition or party switching among members of Parliament, combined with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to the resignation of two prime ministers and the collapse of each of their respective coalition governments since the 2018 general elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen</span> Malaysian politician

Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, is a Malaysian politician and medical doctor who has served as the Special Advisor to the Ministers of Health Zaliha Mustafa and Dzulkefly Ahmad since April 2023 and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bandar Kuching since May 2018. A member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, he has served as Chair of the Health, Science and Innovation Select Committee since January 2021 and is a member of the Budget Select Committee. He has also served as the Youth Chief or known as the Chief of the Youth Wing namely Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) since March 2022 and 5th Youth Chief of PH since July 2022. Yii also serves as special assistant to Chong Chieng Jen, Stampin MP, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Padungan, DAP Sarawak and Sarawak branch of PH chairman.

Events in the year 2020 in Malaysia.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia was a part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. As of 10 February 2023, with over 5 million confirmed COVID-19 cases, a high of approximately 323,000 active cases, nearly 40,000 deaths, and over 66 million tests, the country was ranked third in the number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia behind Vietnam and Indonesia, and fourth in the number of COVID-19 deaths in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis</span> Political crisis in Malaysia

The 2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis was triggered after several Members of Parliament (MPs) of the 14th Malaysian Parliament changed party support, leading to the loss of a parliamentary majority, the collapse of two successive coalition governments, and the resignation of two Prime Ministers. The political crisis culminated in a 2022 snap general election and eventual formation of a coalition government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhyiddin cabinet</span>

The Muhyiddin cabinet was formed on 10 March 2020, nine days after Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia and dissolved 17 months and 6 days later on 16 August 2021, the day when Muhyiddin submitted his resignations as PM and of this cabinet. It was the 21st cabinet of Malaysia formed since independence. This cabinet was also known as the Perikatan Nasional Cabinet (PN-Cabinet) which combined 15 political parties from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) component parties, with Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties and United Sabah Party (PBS) as allied partners providing confidence and supply.

The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached Sabah, Malaysia, in March 2020. As of 16 November 2022, there are 402,031 confirmed cases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian movement control order</span> Quarantine in Malaysia

The Movement Control Order, commonly referred to as the MCO or PKP, was a series of national quarantine and cordon sanitaire measures implemented by the federal government of Malaysia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orders were commonly referred to in local and international media as "lockdowns".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adham Baba</span> Malaysian politician

Dato' Sri Dr. Adham bin Baba is a Malaysian doctor and a politician who served as Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation from 2021 to 2022. Previously, he served as Minister of Health from 2020 to 2021 and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tenggara from 2004 to 2008 and again from 2018 to 2022, having previously been Member of the Johor State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Parit Raja from 2008 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2021</span> Aspect of the coronavirus outbreak

This article documents the chronology of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2021, which originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Some developments may become known or fully understood only in retrospect. Reporting on this pandemic began in December 2019.

Events in the year 2021 in Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia</span> COVID 19 effect in Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia has had far-reaching social consequences on the country that went beyond the spread of the disease itself and efforts to eliminate it, including the registration of births, deaths and marriages, mass gatherings, education, and sports activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia</span>

The COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia has had a significant impact on the Malaysian economy, leading to the devaluation of the Malaysian ringgit (MYR) and the decline in the country's gross domestic product. The pandemic also adversely affected several key sectors including entertainment, markets, retail, hospitality, and tourism. Besides shortages in goods and services, many businesses had to cope with social distancing and lockdown restrictions, which affected their operations and revenue. The pandemic also drew attention to workplace safety and the exploitation of migrant workers working in Malaysian industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aid and relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia</span>

The Government of Malaysia along with various non governmental organisations (NGOs), companies, and foreign governments introduced various financial aid and relief programs in response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. On 27 March 2020, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin introduced an economic stimulus package known as the Prihatin worth RM250 billion.

References

  1. 1 2 "Malaysia's political crisis". Strategic Comments. 26 (2): vii–ix. 7 February 2020. doi:10.1080/13567888.2020.1756352. S2CID   221060594.
  2. "Sabah election spurred Malaysia virus surge, says prime minister". South China Morning Post. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  3. "Malaysia rulers say no need for state of emergency beyond Aug 1; call for political temperature to be cooled down". CNA. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  4. "Term of Sarawak's legislative assembly ends, but it will continue until Aug 1 due to state of emergency". The Straits Times. 6 June 2021.
  5. "How Mass Pilgrimage at Malaysian Mosque Became Coronavirus Hotspot - The New York Times". The New York Times . 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  6. Ram, Sadho (19 April 2020). "Fact-Checking Dr Adham Baba's Claim That PH Failed To Contain The Tabligh Cluster". SAYS. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  7. Hakim, Akmal (19 April 2020). "After "Warm Water Method", Health Minister Reportedly Had Video Conference With "500 Countries" | TRP". The Rakyat Post. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  8. Chin, Emmanuel Santa Maria (18 May 2020). "King tells lawmakers not to drag the country into another political mess amid Covid-19 | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  9. "Malaysia declares Covid state of emergency amid political turmoil". The Guardian. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  10. "Umno MP retracts support for Muhyiddin, Perikatan now only has the backing of 110 MPs out of 220". malaysia.news.yahoo.com. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  11. Kaur, Minderjeet (23 January 2021). "At least 115 MPs reject emergency, claims Anwar". Free Malaysia Today (FMT). Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  12. "Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii tests positive for Covid-19". Malaysiakini. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  13. "Covid-19: Bandar Kuching MP recovers, thanks Health Dept for their professionalism". Bernama . 24 March 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  14. "Coronavirus: DAP's Kuching MP tests positive for Covid-19". The Straits Times. 17 March 2020.
  15. "Deputy Minister Ahmad Masrizal tests positive for Covid-19 after Sabah trip | New Straits Times". www.nst.com.my.
  16. Arif, Zahratulhayat Mat (16 January 2021). "PAS veep positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  17. Radhi, Nor Ain Mohamed (5 October 2020). "Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  18. Krishnan, Dhesegaan Bala (13 January 2021). "Now deputy minister Zahidi is down with Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  19. "Malaysian minister Mustapa Mohamed tests positive for COVID-19". CNA. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  20. Chan, Dawn (14 January 2021). "Ku Li tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  21. "Mansor Othman tests positive for Covid-19, admitted to hospital". The Star.
  22. "Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Hamzah Zainudin tests positive for COVID-19; third Cabinet case in 4 days". CNA. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  23. "Nazri Aziz tests positive for Covid-19". Borneo Post Online. 19 January 2021.
  24. Reporters, F. M. T. (20 January 2021). "Umno's Tajuddin tests positive for Covid-19".
  25. "Covid-19: Ahmad Zahid tests positive but asymptomatic, now under home quarantine". The Star.
  26. Chan, Dawn (29 April 2021). "Saifuddin tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  27. "Another Malaysian minister tests positive for COVID-19, second case in Cabinet within 3 days". CNA. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  28. "Fifth Malaysian minister tests positive for COVID-19". CNA. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  29. Geraldine, Avila (4 January 2021). "Jeffrey Kitingan tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  30. "Works Minister Fadillah Yusof tests positive for Covid-19, undergoing home quarantine". Edgeprop.my.
  31. "Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang tests positive for Covid-19". Borneo Post Online. 4 April 2020.
  32. Kawi, Mohd Roji (17 March 2020). "Bandar Kuching MP tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  33. "Covid-19: Sarikei MP discharged from hospital after 79-day battle". Borneo Post Online. 3 June 2020.
  34. "Lanang MP tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online. 27 May 2021.