Reform and Nation-Building

Since obtaining independence in 1957, Malaysia has had two historic general elections, the first in 2018 and the second in 2022. The 2018 election brought the reformist Pakatan Harapan government into power. Due to both internal and external machinations, the Pakatan Harapan administration collapsed 22 months later. Subsequently, more than two years of socio-political instability ensued, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardships, and increasing ethnic polarization and identity pol