Power-Sharing in Malaysia: Coalition Politics and the Social Contract

This chapter explains political power-sharing in ethnically divided Malaysia through an examination of two related approaches: the political trade-off that has come to be called the ‘social contract’; and the operation of multi-ethnic-coalition politics. Under the first, minorities recognize the ‘special position’ of the majority Malay/Muslim community in return for the majority’s recognition of minorities’ ‘legitimate interests.’ Under the second, coalitions must generally draw on ethnic parties representing a range of minorities in order to gain a majority in elections. This arrangement, which has kept inter-ethnic peace since 1969, is becoming harder to maintain, as long-accepted norms defining citizenship, rights and political representation are challenged. Nonetheless, replacement of the social contract is an exercise fraught with danger and uncertainty as to what follows, while the logic of coalition politics is challenged by fragmentation and intensification of competition for power.