The new line-up: (from left) Sim, Dr Dzulkefly and Gobind signing the Letter of Appointment at the oath taking ceremony at Istana Negara on Dec 12. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Politics continued to dominate the Malaysian landscape with several major events in 2023, including the closely watched six state elections and the emergence of a new political culture where loyalty pledges were given to the Prime Minister by Opposition MPs.
Here are five significant political events that took place this year:
Change in political alliances
Bersatu, part of the Opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional, saw a number of its MPs switch their support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
They were Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), and Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang).
Despite the anti-party hopping law, the five did not lose their seats because they did not resign from Bersatu, and they were not sacked by their party.
On Sept 10, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced that his party would no longer be part of the Madani government following its dissatisfaction with a number of actions, not least of which the discharge not amounting to an acquittal secured by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his corruption case.
Two months later, the Muar MP was found guilty of corruption over the misappropriation of funds belonging to Muda’s youth wing when he was heading it. Syed Saddiq later relinquished his post as Muda president.
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Cabinet reshuffle
On Dec 12, slightly over a year since the formation of the unity government, the Prime Minister announced a reshuffled and an enlarged Cabinet, from 28 to 31 members. Among the new faces are former Employees Provident Fund CEO Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan as Finance Minister II and the return of Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (as the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister), Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo (Digital) and Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Health).
Dr Zaliha Mustafa was moved from the Health Ministry to take charge of Federal Territories affairs, while Datuk Armizan Ali, the acting Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, took over the ministry.
The new line-up also saw the departure of Batu Gajah MP V. Sivakumar from the Human Resources Ministry, which is now helmed by Steven Sim, formerly a deputy finance minister.
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A test on unity government and Malay support
In August, the six states that did not hold their state polls concurrently with the 15th General Election (GE15) finally held them. It was status quo, with Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional winning Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang. Perikatan retained Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
While the state elections did not have a direct impact on the federal administration, they were widely viewed as a barometer of the acceptance of the fledgling unity government.
The results showed that Perikatan’s so-called “green wave” had gained strength, with the coalition winning a good number of Malay-majority seats even in Pakatan strongholds.
Six by-elections
The sudden death of then Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23 triggered two by-elections in Johor – the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats. The late deputy president of Amanah was synonymous with “Payung Rahmah” initiatives to help alleviate the people’s cost of living woes.
Pakatan retained both seats on Sept 9 with Pulai going to Suhaizan Kayat and Simpang Jeram to Nazri Abdul Rahman, both from Amanah.
The death of Pahang exco member Datuk Seri Johari Harun in an air crash in Elmina, Shah Alam, on Aug 17 led to a by-election for the Pelangai state seat. Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, representing Umno-Barisan, recaptured it for the coalition.
Another by-election was held on Nov 4 following the passing of Datuk Talib Zulpilip, the assemblyman for Jepak in Bintulu, Sarawak, with Gabungan Parti Sarawak keeping the seat through Iskandar Turkee.
Two other parliamentary by-elections took place in Terengganu after the court found elements of bribery by Perikatan’s PAS and nullified the victories. PAS chose not to appeal the decision.
In Kuala Terengganu, PAS central working committee member Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim repeated his victory when the by-election was held together with the state election on Aug 12.
Earlier this month, Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, a surprise candidate from PAS for the Kemaman by-election, beat his opponent from Umno-Barisan in a landslide victory, proving his popularity and potential as a future prime minister candidate for Perikatan.
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Umno purge
There was a “mass cleansing” of its top leadership, with former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and supreme council member Tan Sri Noh Omar axed from the party. Khairy’s removal came after he repeatedly criticised party president Ahmad Zahid following Umno’s dismal outing in GE15.
Others punished included Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, a former vice-president who was suspended for six years.
During the party polls for the 2023/2026 term, there was no contest for the top two posts, said to prevent factions in the party. For the vice-presidential race, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin retained one of the three posts. The other two went to Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
