Abstract

The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad fell in February 2020, 22 months after coming into power, and was succeeded by the Perikatan Nasional government led by Prime Minister (PM) Muhyiddin Yassin.  The key players, their supporters, and observers have put forth their views on why and how PH fell. These narratives are shaping perspectives on the two coalitions’ prospects in the next General Elections (GE15), which is said to be likely called as early as the first half of 2021 although PM Muhyiddin has the option of seeking to serve out the full term of the 14th parliament, which ends in July 2023.

This webinar features Mr Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KEADILAN) MP and Mr Jahabar Sadiq, Editor and CEO of The Malaysian Insight.

Mr Nik Nazmi will provide the PKR perspective on why PH fell, and the coalition’s prospects for GE15.  He will address the key reasons cited by other parties, such as that there was no support within in PH for Mr Anwar Ibrahim to succeed Dr Mahathir and that the PH government did not have sufficient Malay support.  He will highlight the strengths and relevance of PH for Malaysians and their aspirations for a united and prosperous nation.

Mr Jahabar Sadiq, a prominent and well-respected editor and journalist, will provide his views on the historic events of the last two years, and their trajectory towards the next GE and beyond.  He is an astute and passionate observer of developments in Malaysia.  He also has deep ties with political leaders from all sides and would also be able to present and analyse their positions and motivations.

This webinar promises to be a fascinating and elucidating discussion on current issues and upcoming developments in Malaysia.

About the Speakers

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad is the Member of Parliament for Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur. He is the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KEADILAN) Organising Secretary and a KEADILAN Central Leadership Council member. He is also the Chair of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Defence and Home Affairs. Nik Nazmi was the youngest representative to be elected in the 2008 General Elections, in Seri Setia in the Selangor State Assembly. Nik Nazmi has served as the Deputy Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly and the Selangor State Exco (State Minister) for Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology, and Innovation. Nik Nazmi was also the Youth Chief for KEADILAN and Pakatan Harapan. In the 2018 General Election, Nik Nazmi won the Barisan Nasional stronghold, Setiawangsa, with a majority of 14,000 votes.  He is the author of 9 May 2018: Notes from the Frontline, Moving Forward: Malays for the 21^st Century, and Reformasi: The Struggle Continues (1998 to 2015).

Jahabar Sadiq is the Chief Executive Officer and Editor of The Malaysian Insight.  A veteran journalist, he was with Reuters for ten years, before heading the ground-breaking The Malaysian Insider. In 2017, Jahabar founded The Malaysian Insight, a well-respected and trusted news portal in Malaysia, known for breaking important political stories and its incisive commentary on politics, economics, and social issues that are given less airtime in the mainstream media. Jahabar’s views on current affairs in Malaysia are widely sought. He has been invited to speak at the Malaysian Student Leaders Summit, the Society of Publishers in Asia, and the Centre for Independent Journalism (Malaysia).