Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Malaysia
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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and affected the political system of Malaysia, causing suspensions of legislative activities and isolation of multiple politicians due to fears of spreading the virus. The onset of the pandemic coincided with a political crisis in early 2020 which continued into 2021 as the spread of COVID-19 and emergency government measures exacerbated initially unrelated political instability, culminating in the resignation of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his cabinet in August 2021. Numerous elections have been postponed or suspended after the 2020 Sabah state election was blamed for a major outbreak in the state that led to the country's third wave. Several politicians have tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.
General election and government formation[edit]
A political crisis in Malaysia coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.[1] The Pakatan Harapan coalition government collapsed, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and eventual replacement with Muhyiddin Yassin and a new Perikatan Nasional coalition, which maintained a small majority. Prime Minister Muhyiddin blamed the 2020 Sabah state election for a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases across the state and country.[2]
In June 2021, the rulers of Malaysia declared that there is no need to extend a state of emergency after 1 August, and parliament should be reopened as soon as possible.[3] The emergency has led to the suspension of all federal parliament and state assembly sittings and also by-elections, among other things, therefore by-elections will need to proceed after 1 August in Sarawak (assembly), Batu Sapi (federal seat), Gerik (federal seat), Bugaya (Sabah state seat) and Melor (Kelantan state seat).[4]
Restriction announcements[edit]
A large outbreak at a Tablighi Jamaat religious event and the spread of the virus across the country were thought to have been exacerbated by the political instability,[5] with the new Health Minister, Adham Baba criticizing his predecessor Dzulkefly Ahmad, although there was no clear government responsible at the time.[6][7] Shortly after a thin government majority was established, the new government announced the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the spread of the virus.[1]
Amid ongoing political instability, Yang di-Pertuan Agong warned politicians in May 2020 that he "would like to advise against dragging the country once again into a political mess that brings uncertainties" given the ongoing health crisis in the country.[8]In January 2021, a State of Emergency was declared, suspending all elections and parliament, and the government were empowered to pass laws without oversight in response to the pandemic and ongoing political instability.[9] This led to the resignation of MP Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub from the party, resulting in the loss of the government's required majority of at least 111 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.[10] Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim criticised the declaration, saying this was an effort for the government to maintain power and that 115 other MPs were against it.[11]
Instances of isolation and testing[edit]
On 17 March 2020, Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (Bandar Kuching member of parliament) tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined at Sarawak General Hospital. He was suspected of having been infected with the virus after meeting Sarikei MP Wong Ling Biu who also tested positive for the virus.[12] He was announced to have recovered on 23 March 2020.[13] Another MP which is Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin member of parliament) tested negative.[14]
List of assemblymen who tested positive for COVID-19[edit]
Dewan Negara (Senators)[edit]
| State/Appointed | Member | Party | Confirmed Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appointed | Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad | UMNO | 3 October 2020[15] | |
| Idris Ahmad | PAS | 16 January 2021[16] | ||
| Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri | IND | 5 October 2020[17] | ||
Dewan Rakyat (Members of Parliament)[edit]
Dewan Undangan Negeri (Malaysian State Assembly Representatives)[edit]
| State | No. | Parliamentary Constituency | No. | State Assembly Constituency | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Perlis | P02 | Kangar | N8 | Indera Kayangan | Gan Ay Ling | PKR | |
 Kedah | P17 | Padang Serai | N34 | Lunas | Azman Nasruddin | BERSATU | |
 Kelantan | P30 | Jeli | N37 | Air Lanas | Mustapa Mohamed | BERSATU | |
| P32 | Gua Musang | N43 | Nenggiri | Ab. Aziz Yusoff | UMNO | ||
| N45 | Galas | Mohd. Syahbuddin Hashim | UMNO | ||||
 Terengganu | P40 | Kemaman | N30 | Kijal | Ahmad Said | UMNO | |
 Pahang | P81 | Jerantut | N9 | Tahan | Mohd Zakhwan Ahmad Badarddin | PAS | |
| P89 | Bentong | N35 | Sabai | Kamache Doray Rajoo | DAP | ||
 Selangor | P97 | Selayang | N14 | Rawang | Chua Wei Kiat | PKR | |
| P105 | Petaling Jaya | N33 | Taman Medan | Syamsul Firdaus Mohamed Supri | PKR | ||
| P106 | Damansara | N35 | Kampung Tunku | Lim Yi Wei | DAP | ||
| P107 | Sungai Buloh | N39 | Kota Damansara | Shatiri Mansor | PKR | ||
| P113 | Sepang | N55 | Dengkil | Adhif Syan Abdullah | BERSATU | ||
 Negeri Sembilan | P132 | Port Dickson | N33 | Sri Tanjong | Ravi Munasamy | PKR | |
 Malacca | P134 | Masjid Tanah | N3 | Ayer Limau | Amiruddin Yusop | UMNO | |
 Johor | P142 | Labis | N5 | Tenang | Mohd. Solihan Badri | BERSATU | |
| P146 | Muar | N15 | Maharani | Nor Hayati Bachok | AMANAH | ||
| P149 | Sri Gading | N21 | Parit Yaani | Amunolhuda Hassan | AMANAH | ||
| P153 | Sembrong | N30 | Paloh | Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali | DAP | ||
 Sabah | P168 | Kota Marudu | N07 | Tandek | Hendrus Anding | PBS | |
| P170 | Tuaran | N12 | Sulaman | Hajiji Mohd Nor | BERSATU | ||
| P180 | Keningau | N39 | Tambunan | Jeffrey Kitingan | STAR | ||
| N40 | Bingkor | Robert Tawik | STAR | ||||
| P188 | Lahad Datu | N63 | Kunak | Norazlinah Arif | WARISAN | ||
 Sarawak | P198 | Puncak Borneo | N19 | Mambong | Jerip Susil | PBB | |
| Total | Perlis (1), Kedah (1), Kelantan (3), Terengganu (1), Pahang (2), Selangor (5), Negeri Sembilan (1), Malacca (1), Johor (4), Sabah (5), Sarawak (1) | ||||||
See also[edit]
- 2020–21 Malaysian political crisis
- 2021 Malaysian state of emergency
- Issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
- Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
- Political impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
References[edit]
- ^ Jump up to: Jump up to: a b "Malaysia's political crisis". Strategic Comments. 26 (2): vii–ix. 7 February 2020. doi:10.1080/13567888.2020.1756352. S2CID 221060594.
- ^ "Sabah election spurred Malaysia virus surge, says prime minister". South China Morning Post. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ "Malaysia rulers say no need for state of emergency beyond Aug 1; call for political temperature to be cooled down". CNA.
- ^ "Term of Sarawak's legislative assembly ends, but it will continue until Aug 1 due to state of emergency". The Straits Times. 6 June 2021.
- ^ "How Mass Pilgrimage at Malaysian Mosque Became Coronavirus Hotspot - The New York Times". The New York Times. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ Ram, Sadho (19 April 2020). "Fact-Checking Dr Adham Baba's Claim That PH Failed To Contain The Tabligh Cluster". SAYS. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ Hakim, Akmal (19 April 2020). "After "Warm Water Method", Health Minister Reportedly Had Video Conference With "500 Countries" | TRP". The Rakyat Post. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ Chin, Emmanuel Santa Maria (18 May 2020). "King tells lawmakers not to drag the country into another political mess amid Covid-19 | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ "Malaysia declares Covid state of emergency amid political turmoil". The Guardian. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
- ^ "Umno MP retracts support for Muhyiddin, Perikatan now only has the backing of 110 MPs out of 220". malaysia.news.yahoo.com. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ Kaur, Minderjeet (23 January 2021). "At least 115 MPs reject emergency, claims Anwar". Free Malaysia Today (FMT). Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii tests positive for Covid-19". Malaysiakini. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- ^ "Covid-19: Bandar Kuching MP recovers, thanks Health Dept for their professionalism". Bernama. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ "Coronavirus: DAP's Kuching MP tests positive for Covid-19". The Straits Times. 17 March 2020.
- ^ "Deputy Minister Ahmad Masrizal tests positive for Covid-19 after Sabah trip | New Straits Times". www.nst.com.my.
- ^ Arif, Zahratulhayat Mat (16 January 2021). "PAS veep positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
- ^ Radhi, Nor Ain Mohamed (5 October 2020). "Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
- ^ Krishnan, Dhesegaan Bala (13 January 2021). "Now deputy minister Zahidi is down with Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
- ^ "Malaysian minister Mustapa Mohamed tests positive for COVID-19". CNA.
- ^ Chan, Dawn (14 January 2021). "Ku Li tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
- ^ "Mansor Othman tests positive for Covid-19, admitted to hospital". The Star.
- ^ "Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Hamzah Zainudin tests positive for COVID-19; third Cabinet case in 4 days". CNA.
- ^ "Nazri Aziz tests positive for Covid-19". Borneo Post Online. 19 January 2021.
- ^ Reporters, F. M. T. (20 January 2021). "Umno's Tajuddin tests positive for Covid-19".
- ^ "Covid-19: Ahmad Zahid tests positive but asymptomatic, now under home quarantine". The Star.
- ^ Chan, Dawn (29 April 2021). "Saifuddin tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
- ^ "Another Malaysian minister tests positive for COVID-19, second case in Cabinet within 3 days". CNA.
- ^ "Fifth Malaysian minister tests positive for COVID-19". CNA.
- ^ Geraldine, Avila (4 January 2021). "Jeffrey Kitingan tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
- ^ "Works Minister Fadillah Yusof tests positive for Covid-19, undergoing home quarantine". Edgeprop.my.
- ^ "Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang tests positive for Covid-19". Borneo Post Online. 4 April 2020.
- ^ Kawi, Mohd Roji (17 March 2020). "Bandar Kuching MP tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
- ^ "Covid-19: Sarikei MP discharged from hospital after 79-day battle". Borneo Post Online. 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Lanang MP tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online. 27 May 2021.