Malaysia's 13th General Elections and the Rise of Electoral Reform Movement

Abstract

This article looks at how an electoral reform movement affected electoral mobilization during the 13th General Elections in Malaysia. The elections are significant because it was the first time an opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, managed to secure the highest number of parliamentary seats. At the macro‐level, the article argues that political opportunities have emerged from the development of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih), as well as similar groups. A broad set of incentives within authoritarian settings then increases citizens’ participation in movements on a micro‐level. Using the structural‐cognitive model proposed by Karl Dieter Opp and drawing on qualitative evidence through fieldwork observation and interviews, I relate the reform movements to citizens’ proactive electoral mobilization during the 2013 elections.

The role of movement leaders in building intergroup solidarity for social change: A case of the electoral reform movement in Malaysia

“…The Bersih movement in Malaysia was born out of the need for democratic reforms in response to electoral fraud and has grown to unite various segments of a multiracial society. While racially divisive politics are pervasive, Bersih has created a platform for different racial groups to come together to fight for clean and fair elections (Khoo, ; Smeltzer & Paré, ). This powerful exemplar of solidarity is common to many social movements that aim to unite disparate groups in society.…”

“…The first protest, Bersih 1, took place on November 10, 2007; many opposition political parties mobilized their supporters to participate. The protest was credited as one of the key reasons why the ruling coalition failed to garner its usual two‐thirds majority during the 2008 general elections (Khoo, ; Smeltzer & Paré, ). On July 9, 2011, Bersih 2 was much larger than the first rally, and was focused on mobilizing citizens to push for electoral reforms before the next general elections.…”

“…On November 19, 2016, over 40,000 people participated in Bersih 5 protests in major cities throughout the country (Chan & Westcott, ). Both the convoy and the protests were met with counter‐Bersih efforts organized by the Red Shirts, a counter‐movement that arose to defend the government and protect the special rights of Malays (Khoo, ).…”

Democratic Breakthrough in Malaysia – Political Opportunities and the Role of Bersih

“…While the Bersih rallies strengthened the sense of citizenry, the movement has also empowered more civic activism beyond just the rallies (Khoo 2018). Political opportunities at the macro level are correlational to collective political action at the micro one, and, as evident in GE13, Bersih had empowered greater electoral mobilisation and activism (Khoo 2016). The political opportunity arising with regards to the flaws in the electoral system and process in the lead-up to GE14 continued such a scenario; Bersih played a key role in monitoring the electoral system.…”

“…Formally known as the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, Bersih was founded in 2005 as a coalition by five political parties and 25 civil society groups to campaign for electoral reform. In 2011, Bersih was relaunched as BERSIH2.0 and transformed into a non-partisan movement comprising and led by civil society (Khoo 2016). As of 20 March 2018, Bersih was comprised of 92 endorsing non-governmental organisations working on different issues (Bersih2.0 2018b).…”