In 2023, public discourse in Malaysia was dominated by identity politics, framed around the imperative of safeguarding Malaysia’s national core. These dynamics obscured the intricate interplay of geographical, socio-demographic and economic marginalization, further polarizing voter preferences across the country. Within this framework, the newly appointed unity government struggled to promote reforms aimed at revitalizing the Malaysian economy and ensuring a fairer distribution of benefits, beyond existing ethnic-based policies. The Anwar administration progressively aligned its political narrative with the established discursive patterns of Malaysian political culture, averting public questioning of existing governance and political practices. In foreign policy, the Prime Minister leveraged his image as a Southeast Asian and Mus- lim leader to bolster Malaysia’s relations with ASEAN countries and with the Muslim world. Within the latter in particular, Malaysia adopted a clear stance, notably through his outspoken condemnation of Israel and open support for the Palestinian cause.
Malaysia 2023: A reform agenda overshadowed by identity politics
Emanuela Mangiarotti
2024-01-01
Abstract
In 2023, public discourse in Malaysia was dominated by identity politics, framed around the imperative of safeguarding Malaysia’s national core. These dynamics obscured the intricate interplay of geographical, socio-demographic and economic marginalization, further polarizing voter preferences across the country. Within this framework, the newly appointed unity government struggled to promote reforms aimed at revitalizing the Malaysian economy and ensuring a fairer distribution of benefits, beyond existing ethnic-based policies. The Anwar administration progressively aligned its political narrative with the established discursive patterns of Malaysian political culture, averting public questioning of existing governance and political practices. In foreign policy, the Prime Minister leveraged his image as a Southeast Asian and Mus- lim leader to bolster Malaysia’s relations with ASEAN countries and with the Muslim world. Within the latter in particular, Malaysia adopted a clear stance, notably through his outspoken condemnation of Israel and open support for the Palestinian cause.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
