COMMENT | Democracy should not be taken for granted

COMMENT | The events of February 2020 were no doubt a paradigm shift for Malaysian politicians. No longer were elections the only way for regime change, a different way was shown possible and can be accepted without great public outcry.

What was once a calendar-bound opportunity had become an always-available puzzle that enticed motivated parties. The new anti-hopping law thankfully added much-needed friction, in addition to the blocks of actual seats won by political coalitions.

It may not have stopped political scheming and manoeuvring but it has allowed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition government to survive this long despite no single coalition owning a clear majority from the last general election.

As May 2025 ticks by, this administration enters its 17th month in good shape. Hopefully, this means that the government will last longer than the tenures of the past three governments to actually be able to carry out policy and return normalcy to our democracy.