Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read | 8:07 pm CAT

According to the election commission, Malaysia will hold a general election on November 19 in a contest that the ruling graft-tainted party hopes will strengthen its power.

The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) may have the edge in next month’s election as the opposition is in disarray, and turnout is expected to be lower due to voter apathy and the ongoing monsoon season, analysts say.

Radio Islam International discussed this with the editor and Co-Founder of 2213 News in Malaysia, Haresh Deol. 

According to Deol, the situation in Malaysia is complex because the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition with its former prime minister, who is now serving jail time Najeeb Razack, is not calling the shots per se in the current government.

He said Malaysia has seen the coalition of the Barisan Nasional result in a downfall in 2018. Since the government fell, many coalitions within coalitions have been seen. 

Malaysia has had three prime ministers since the last election in 2018.

Disillusionment with the events after the 2018 election is expected to keep some pro-opposition voters away this year, denting their chances of another win.

Opposition leaders Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim have also gone their separate ways since the collapse of their alliance, leaving the opposition disunited.

Listen below to the interview with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Haresh Deol on Radio Islam’s podcast.