Jump to content

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Malaysia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Part of a series on the
COVID-19 pandemic
Scientifically accurate atomic model of the external structure of SARS-CoV-2. Each "ball" is an atom.
Scientifically accurate atomic model of the external structure of SARS-CoV-2. Each "ball" is an atom.
Timeline
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Locations
By country and territory
By conveyance
International response
National responses
Medical response
Vaccines
Current vaccines
Variants
Variants of concern
Other variants
Economic impact and recession
By country
By sport
Impacts
Long COVID
Society
Politics
virus icon COVID-19 portal

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]
Main articles: COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia and 2020–21 Malaysian political crisis

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]

Dewan Negara

State/Appointed Member Party Confirmed Date
Appointed Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad UMNO 3 October 2020 (2020-10-03)[15]
Idris Ahmad PAS 16 January 2021 (2021-01-16)[16]
Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri IND 5 October 2020 (2020-10-05)[17]

Dewan Rakyat (Members of Parliament)

[edit]

Dewan Rakyat

State No. Parliament Constituency Member Party Confirmed Date
 Perlis P001 Padang Besar Zahidi Zainul Abidin UMNO 13 January 2021 (2021-01-13)[18]
 Kelantan P030 Jeli Mustapa Mohamed BERSATU 10 January 2021 (2021-01-10)[19]
P032 Gua Musang Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah UMNO 14 January 2021 (2021-01-14)[20]
 Penang P047 Nibong Tebal Mansor Othman BERSATU 25 July 2021 (2021-07-25)[21]
 Perak P056 Larut Hamzah Zainudin BERSATU 12 January 2021 (2021-01-12)[22]
P061 Padang Rengas Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz UMNO 18 January 2021 (2021-01-18)[23]
P073 Pasir Salak Tajuddin Abdul Rahman UMNO 20 January 2021 (2021-01-20)[24]
P075 Bagan Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi UMNO 25 July 2021 (2021-07-25)[25]
 Pahang P082 Indera Mahkota Saifuddin Abdullah BERSATU 28 April 2021 (2021-04-28)[26]
 Kuala Lumpur P119 Titiwangsa Rina Mohd. Harun BERSATU 11 January 2021 (2021-01-11)[27]
 Johor P156 Kota Tinggi Halimah Mohd. Sadique UMNO 19 January 2021 (2021-01-19)[28]
 Sabah P180 Keningau Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan STAR 4 January 2021 (2021-01-04)[29]
 Sarawak P194 Petra Jaya Fadillah Yusof PBB 11 June 2021 (2021-06-11)[30]
P197 Kota Samarahan Rubiah Wang PBB 4 April 2020 (2020-04-04)[31]
P195 Bandar Kuching Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen DAP 17 March 2020 (2020-03-17)[32]
P208 Sarikei Wong Ling Biu DAP 17 March 2020 (2020-03-17)[33]
P211 Lanang Alice Lau Kiong Yieng DAP 27 May 2021 (2021-05-27)[34]
Total Perlis (1), Kelantan (2), Perak (3), Pahang (1), F.T. Kuala Lumpur (1), Johor (1), Sabah (1), Sarawak (5)

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]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Malaysia's political crisis". Strategic Comments. 26 (2): vii–ix. 7 February 2020. doi:10.1080/13567888.2020.1756352. S2CID 221060594.
  2. ^ "Sabah election spurred Malaysia virus surge, says prime minister". South China Morning Post. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Malaysia rulers say no need for state of emergency beyond Aug 1; call for political temperature to be cooled down". CNA. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Malaysia declares Covid state of emergency amid political turmoil". The Guardian. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ Kaur, Minderjeet (23 January 2021). "At least 115 MPs reject emergency, claims Anwar". Free Malaysia Today (FMT). Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  12. ^ "Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii tests positive for Covid-19". Malaysiakini. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  13. ^ "Covid-19: Bandar Kuching MP recovers, thanks Health Dept for their professionalism". Bernama. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Coronavirus: DAP's Kuching MP tests positive for Covid-19". The Straits Times. 17 March 2020.
  15. ^ "Deputy Minister Ahmad Masrizal tests positive for Covid-19 after Sabah trip | New Straits Times". www.nst.com.my.
  16. ^ Arif, Zahratulhayat Mat (16 January 2021). "PAS veep positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  17. ^ Radhi, Nor Ain Mohamed (5 October 2020). "Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  18. ^ Krishnan, Dhesegaan Bala (13 January 2021). "Now deputy minister Zahidi is down with Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  19. ^ "Malaysian minister Mustapa Mohamed tests positive for COVID-19". CNA. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  20. ^ Chan, Dawn (14 January 2021). "Ku Li tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  21. ^ "Mansor Othman tests positive for Covid-19, admitted to hospital". The Star.
  22. ^ "Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Hamzah Zainudin tests positive for COVID-19; third Cabinet case in 4 days". CNA. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Nazri Aziz tests positive for Covid-19". Borneo Post Online. 19 January 2021.
  24. ^ Reporters, F. M. T. (20 January 2021). "Umno's Tajuddin tests positive for Covid-19".
  25. ^ "Covid-19: Ahmad Zahid tests positive but asymptomatic, now under home quarantine". The Star.
  26. ^ Chan, Dawn (29 April 2021). "Saifuddin tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  27. ^ "Another Malaysian minister tests positive for COVID-19, second case in Cabinet within 3 days". CNA. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Fifth Malaysian minister tests positive for COVID-19". CNA. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  29. ^ Geraldine, Avila (4 January 2021). "Jeffrey Kitingan tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  30. ^ "Works Minister Fadillah Yusof tests positive for Covid-19, undergoing home quarantine". Edgeprop.my.
  31. ^ "Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang tests positive for Covid-19". Borneo Post Online. 4 April 2020.
  32. ^ Kawi, Mohd Roji (17 March 2020). "Bandar Kuching MP tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  33. ^ "Covid-19: Sarikei MP discharged from hospital after 79-day battle". Borneo Post Online. 3 June 2020.
  34. ^ "Lanang MP tests positive for Covid-19 | New Straits Times". NST Online. 27 May 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Impact_of_the_COVID-19_pandemic_on_politics_in_Malaysia&oldid=1243801106"