Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system

The Federation of Malaysia adopts the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system in implementing the democracy in the Federation. The system has been emplaced since the independence of Malaysia in 1957. There is however, suggestion to change the current electoral system to proportional represent...

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Main Authors: Ayub, Zainal Amin, Mohamed Yusoff, Zuryati, Yeon, Asmah Laili
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Serials Publications 2018
Subjects:
Online Access:https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/25544/1/MII%2097%2024-II%202017%20323-336.pdf
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author Ayub, Zainal Amin
Mohamed Yusoff, Zuryati
Yeon, Asmah Laili
author_facet Ayub, Zainal Amin
Mohamed Yusoff, Zuryati
Yeon, Asmah Laili
author_sort Ayub, Zainal Amin
collection UUM
description The Federation of Malaysia adopts the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system in implementing the democracy in the Federation. The system has been emplaced since the independence of Malaysia in 1957. There is however, suggestion to change the current electoral system to proportional representation (PR) system. This paper aims to analyze the current and the suggested electoral system for Malaysia, the FPTP system or PR system from the legal perspective and the experience in other parts of the world. Research data were collected through library research and interviews with legal experts in Malaysia. The data were analyzed using content analysis by employing the thematic approach. The study found that the current legal structure support FPTP system and that major revamp of the law need to be done if Malaysia is to introduce new electoral system. It is also found that there are concerns from the legal fraternity whereby most of them agree that the FPTP system is still the best system for Malaysia. This is due to the advantages of FPTP system which suit the situation in Malaysia. However, most of the respondents also incline to the view that Malaysia should change to proportionate representative in the future; because of the advantages of PR electoral system, where, among others are, ‘every vote counts’ and it reduces the gerrymandering issue. It is also found that many countries tried to change its electoral system, but only New Zealand is the best model to look into. It is found that, if there is a change in the electoral system, there are implications to take into consideration. The paper suggests that any changes to the future electoral system in Malaysia require massive legislation amendment, as well as the readiness of the people should be taken into account.
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spelling uum-255442019-02-10T07:24:17Z https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/25544/ Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system Ayub, Zainal Amin Mohamed Yusoff, Zuryati Yeon, Asmah Laili KZ Law of Nations The Federation of Malaysia adopts the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system in implementing the democracy in the Federation. The system has been emplaced since the independence of Malaysia in 1957. There is however, suggestion to change the current electoral system to proportional representation (PR) system. This paper aims to analyze the current and the suggested electoral system for Malaysia, the FPTP system or PR system from the legal perspective and the experience in other parts of the world. Research data were collected through library research and interviews with legal experts in Malaysia. The data were analyzed using content analysis by employing the thematic approach. The study found that the current legal structure support FPTP system and that major revamp of the law need to be done if Malaysia is to introduce new electoral system. It is also found that there are concerns from the legal fraternity whereby most of them agree that the FPTP system is still the best system for Malaysia. This is due to the advantages of FPTP system which suit the situation in Malaysia. However, most of the respondents also incline to the view that Malaysia should change to proportionate representative in the future; because of the advantages of PR electoral system, where, among others are, ‘every vote counts’ and it reduces the gerrymandering issue. It is also found that many countries tried to change its electoral system, but only New Zealand is the best model to look into. It is found that, if there is a change in the electoral system, there are implications to take into consideration. The paper suggests that any changes to the future electoral system in Malaysia require massive legislation amendment, as well as the readiness of the people should be taken into account. Serials Publications 2018 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/25544/1/MII%2097%2024-II%202017%20323-336.pdf Ayub, Zainal Amin and Mohamed Yusoff, Zuryati and Yeon, Asmah Laili (2018) Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system. Man In India, 97 (24-II). pp. 323-336. ISSN 0025-1569 http://www.serialspublications.com/journals/journal-detail.php?jid=46
spellingShingle KZ Law of Nations
Ayub, Zainal Amin
Mohamed Yusoff, Zuryati
Yeon, Asmah Laili
Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system
title Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system
title_full Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system
title_fullStr Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system
title_full_unstemmed Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system
title_short Democratic process in Malaysia: the future of Malaysia electoral system
title_sort democratic process in malaysia the future of malaysia electoral system
topic KZ Law of Nations
url https://repo.uum.edu.my/id/eprint/25544/1/MII%2097%2024-II%202017%20323-336.pdf
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