Malaysia Post-PRN2023: Stay the Course or Change Direction?

In this dialogue, which follows on his May 16th podcast, “Defining Tests for UMNO, Anwar and the Unity Government”, Khairy Jamaluddin discusses the main arena of those defining tests: the August 12th Peninsular state elections (PRN2023). Khairy speaks with Fulcrum editor Dr Lee Hwok Aun and Dr Francis Hutchinson, both Senior Fellows at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, about the outcomes and implications of PRN2023. The Perikatan Nasional coalition dominated in the three Northern Malay states, while the PH-BN Unity coalition of coalitions retained the three more ethnically mixed states on the west coast– with significant ground ceded to PN. The dialogue considers the continuities and changes we can expect in Malaysian federal and state politics. Khairy is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS, and was a three-time member of Malaysia’s parliament representing Rembau. He has served as Minister of Youth and Sports; Science, Technology and Innovation; and Health.

2:15 – Ground-level observations of PN (Bersatu) and PH-BN (UMNO) campaigns

8:24 – Election results: any effect on Khairy joining/rejoining either party?

9:52 – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s strategic options to win Malay support

15:18 – What do Perikatan Nasional’s sweeping wins in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu say about Malay politics and the PAS-Bersatu alliance?

19:19 – Generational change in PAS: The roles of Sanusi Md Nor in Kedah and Samsuri Mokhtar in Terengganu going forward

23:23 – PH-BN leaders and Menteris Besar: Who made a mark on PRN2023?

26:02 – How well did PH-BN collaborate in PRN2023 and what lessons should the Unity government take moving forward?

28:39 – Is the PN surge still an anti-UMNO protest or has PN secured a base?

32:13 – What next for UMNO? Is Zahid Hamidi’s discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) a boon or bane?

35:12 – Anwar Ibrahim administration: Political implications of PRN2023 and signature policies