Multiparty system strengthens Malaysia’s democracy, say young political leaders
However, youths see challenges for smaller parties amid two-coalition landscape.
PETALING JAYA - Young political leaders voiced their support for Malaysia's multiparty system, emphasising its role in fostering a healthy democracy by incorporating diverse perspectives and meeting the needs of all citizens.
Umno Division Branch Chief and Committee Member Mohd Shahril Aznam highlighted that the multiparty system has evolved since before Malaysia's independence, illustrating its strength through the current "strong coalition between Umno and Pakatan Harapan."
He stated that harmonious coexistence among various political parties, such as the MCA and MIC, demonstrated the effectiveness of a multiparty framework.
“It trains us to tackle emerging issues from the root, enabling us to create comprehensive Acts and policies. This is what we have consistently advocated for,” he said in a forum co-organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).
Similarly, Kepong Perikatan Nasional (PN) Liaison Body Chief Iskandar Khoo Kuan Yiaw stressed that the multiparty system has become a defining element of Malaysian democracy, providing opportunities for coalition-building and introducing new ideas for governance.
He stressed that the system also addresses youth concerns, who might not resonate with traditional political approaches.
“If we allow older figures to dominate longstanding parties like Umno and PH, we may encounter resistance due to their conventional ideologies. Fortunately, with parties like Muda, youth perspectives are now represented on the national stage,” he said, commending Muda for advocating for Malaysian youths' rights.
In a related matter, Angkatan Muda Keadilan Malaysia's Health Bureau Chief Darshinee Suresh Kumar shared her view that Malaysia’s multiparty system is uniquely suited to its multicultural society and shouldn’t imitate models from advanced countries like the United States.
“We already have numerous political parties that advocate for multiracial and religious issues under the current system.
"For example, we even have parties based on specific ethnic groups, like the Telugu community, showcasing the diversity served by the multiparty approach,” she said.
Darshinee also argued that a two-party system could limit young people's political experiences by reducing their choices to find the party that best aligns with their principles.
She expressed satisfaction with PKR's approach and praised young leaders across parties for their contributions.
“For instance, I learned about Muda’s Farah Syahidah through social media and am impressed by her work. Her efforts for Muda and her active presence on platforms like X show her commitment to ground-level activism,” she said.
Meanwhile, Muda’s Damansara division head Abolqaz Anuar highlighted challenges faced by smaller parties, arguing that Malaysia’s tendency toward two dominant coalitions has limited their development.
“There are many obstacles for smaller parties like the Malaysian Socialist Party (PSM) because they don't fit neatly within the major coalitions. Essentially, if you want to be in government, you must align with one of the big two,” he stated.
He advocated for structural changes to give smaller parties a fair chance, suggesting that a more balanced political landscape would better represent Malaysia's diverse voices.
To this, DAP’s Angie En Qi disagreed, arguing that a multiparty system is necessary to ensure all racial and marginalised communities are represented.
She cautioned that adopting a bipartisan system similar to the United States could silence many underrepresented voices and suggested enhancing party mechanisms to improve their effectiveness in addressing issues.
Pas Youth Committee member Faizzuddin Zai expressed that a multiparty system preserves voters’ freedom of choice, allowing them to select the party that best represents their values.
He highlighted Pas’ role in sometimes diverging from the traditional government-opposition divide, such as during annual budget initiatives, to reflect its unique priorities.
"This flexibility shows that our democracy is genuine and thriving, and it’s something worth defending,” he said.
