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As of March 2026, Malaysia has 72 registered political parties, with 41 based in Peninsular Malaysia and the remainder in Sabah and Sarawak. The Barisan Nasional, or National Front, is a key coalition that has historically dominated Malaysian politics. It is made up of 14 component parties, each with its own manifesto, but all candidates run under the Barisan Nasional symbol during elections. Within Barisan Nasional, United Malays National Organisation, known as UMNO, is the most influential Malay party and has played a central role in shaping both the coalition and national policy.
The Islamic Party of Malaysia, or PAS, is a major Malay-based opposition party. PAS’s primary goal is to establish Malaysia as a nation governed by Islamic legal theory. This aim distinguishes PAS from other Malay parties, which often pursue more secular or moderate policies. PAS competes for support among the Malay-Muslim electorate, especially in rural areas where religious identity can play a decisive role in voting behavior.
The National Justice Party, or KeADILan, formed as part of the People’s Alliance, is another significant player. While KeADILan advocates broadly for social justice and anti-corruption measures, it often works to attract Malay voters alienated by both UMNO and PAS. It focuses on multiethnic representation, but its roots and support base include a substantial number of Malay members.
The Malaysian Election Commission is responsible for overseeing the country’s electoral process. The Commission consists of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman, and five other members. All members are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia’s constitutional monarch, after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. This process is designed to ensure public confidence in the Commission’s impartiality.
The Election Commission reviews and delimits parliamentary and state constituencies at intervals of no less than eight years. This review is conducted with the assistance of the Survey Department, the Statistics Department, and the office of the Attorney General. During delimitation, the Commission must take into account the principle that constituencies should not cross state boundaries, and that the number of electors in each should be approximately equal. Rural constituencies, however, are given some weightage due to the difficulty of reaching remote voters.
Parliament consists of 222 elected members in the House of Representatives, each representing a single-member constituency. The process for reviewing boundaries begins with a public notice and includes a month-long period for public comment. Any changes are submitted to the Prime Minister and must be approved by the House of Representatives before taking effect.
To stand as a candidate in a parliamentary election, an individual must pay an election deposit of 10,000 ringgit. If the candidate polls less than one eighth of the total votes in that constituency, this deposit is forfeited. Candidates must use their party’s official symbol, while independents select one from those provided by the Commission. The interval between nomination and polling day is used for campaigning and training party agents.
Following the 2022 general election, Malaysia saw a significant shift in its political landscape. No single coalition secured a simple majority in the Dewan Rakyat, leading to a hung parliament. Pakatan Harapan, led by Anwar Ibrahim, eventually formed a unity government with Barisan Nasional and several other parties after days of negotiations. This marked the first time in Malaysia’s history that UMNO and Barisan Nasional joined a coalition government as a minority partner rather than the dominant force.
Recent coalition dynamics have been characterized by shifting alliances and the emergence of new blocs. The Perikatan Nasional coalition, which includes PAS and Bersatu, gained ground by appealing to Malay-Muslim voters, especially in the northern and east coast states. In the 2023 state elections, Perikatan Nasional won all seats in Terengganu and made significant gains in Kedah and Kelantan, further consolidating PAS’s influence in these regions.
Electoral performance in the 2022 general election reflected changing voter preferences. Pakatan Harapan won 82 seats, Perikatan Nasional secured 73, and Barisan Nasional took 30. PAS, as a component of Perikatan Nasional, won 49 parliamentary seats, making it the single party with the most seats in the Dewan Rakyat. This result underscored the growing appeal of PAS and the importance of Malay-based parties in shaping Malaysia’s political future.