Green Wave (Malaysia)

Green Wave (Malay: Gelombang Hijau), also known as Green Tsunami (Malay: Tsunami Hijau), better known as Malay Wave (Malay: Gelombang Melayu), also known as Malay Tsunami (Malay: Tsunami Melayu), otherwise known as The People's Wave (Malay: Gelombang Rakyat), alternatively known as Perikatan Nasional Wave (Malay: Gelombang Perikatan Nasional), shortened as PN Wave (Malay: Gelombang PN), is a political phenomenon that has taken place in Malaysia since the 2022 Malaysian general election.[1][2][3][4][5][6] This political phenomenon involves Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) and its voters, who mainly originate from the conservative northeastern and northwestern parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

Clockwise from top:
Perikatan Nasional (PN) supporters doing a salute; PN and Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) symbols used in the elections, PAS symbol only use in Kelantan and Terengganu while PN symbols use in other states; Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor doing a salute with his supporters in Johor; Proportion of ethnic Malay with indigenous and Chinese voters in the 2018 Malaysian parliamentary constituency; PAS supporters performing salah at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium.

Background
Main article: 2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis

"So much so, that it is from amongst them those who control the country's economy and use it to damage the politics, administrative affairs and judiciary. In fact, they are the biggest group that damage the country's politics and economy, the majority of them from non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera."

– Abdul Hadi Awang, August 2022[7]

"“Currently, PAS seeks to strengthen the politics of Malay-Islam and we are obliged to lead the way by providing support and cooperation to unite the Malays through Islam. The aim is to restore the power of the Malay-Muslim leadership with the agenda of leading the unity of the people."

– Abdul Hadi Awang, May 2023[8]

During the political crisis in 2020, some politicians tried to establish an ethnic Malay-centric coalition government.[9] They accomplished it through the withdrawal of Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) from Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition as well as several members of parliament (MP) from the People's Justice Party (PKR) led by its deputy president, Azmin Ali. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad then resigned, creating a power vacuum. The Pakatan Harapan government was replaced by Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition government led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, reasserting predominant Malay-Muslim rule over Malaysia after 22 months. However, the PN government lost power because UMNO withdrew its support. Ismail Sabri Yaakob was appointed as the new prime minister for 20 months until UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged Ismail Sabri to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections.

Details
Main article: 2022 Malaysian general election

During the 2022 Malaysian general election, the Perikatan Nasional coalition, comprising of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) and Malaysian People's Movement Party (GERAKAN), won 73 seats in the Malaysian lower house. This resulted in PAS having the highest number of members in the Dewan Rakyat among all the political parties after the election with 42 members.

PAS' electoral base is largely centered around Peninsular Malaysia's rural and conservative northern and eastern coasts, particularly in the states of Kelantan, Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu and Pahang. They also gained significant support in the rural areas of Perak and Malacca. PAS helped their coalition sweep the northwestern and eastern coastal states of Peninsular Malaysia in a landslide, winning every parliamentary seat in the states of Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu, and all but Sungai Petani in Kedah.

Critics

"The non-Malays achieved a lot of progress. Don’t try to scare (other poeple) with Malay rule by painting them green."

– Mahathir Mohamad, April 2023[10][11]

"There is no need to fear or panic about the green wave. It's a political phenomenon, not a spectre or ghost."

– Hassan Abdul Karim, August 2023[12]

"BN's victory shows that the coalition has blocked the "green wave" that the other coalition (PN) has been promoting and championing for several months."

– Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, October 2023[13]

Perikatan Nasional information chief Azmin Ali has claim that the reason PN did well in the 2022 general election was because their policies benefit the people of every race when they were the ruling coalition from 2020 until 2021.[14]

Lim Guan Eng, former Secretary-General and current Chairman of Democratic Action Party (DAP), said that the green wave is very dangerous that they will demolish Indian temple and forbid people from going to concerts. He subsequently denied the claims by saying that his statement was misinterpreted and twisted by the media.[15][16] Many opposition politicians, including PAS Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan condemned his statements and said that decisive action should be taken by the authorities and Home Ministry of Malaysia on Lim.[17]

After BN victory in Pelangai seat, BN Pahang's chief, Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said that the "green wave" was blocked by BN and the community didn't support the PN coalition despite they played up various sentiments, perceptions and slander like 3R issues (religion, race and royalty).[18]

Ideologies

This political phenomenon ideologically focuses on Islamism, pan-Islamism, Malay supremacy, Bumiputera affirmative action, traditionalist conservatism, right-wing populism, anti-communism, anti-LGBT, Anti-West, Anti-United States, opposition to immigration and enforcement of Sharia Law.[5]

Key peoples
Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Abdul Hadi Awang, two important figures responsible for the Green Wave in Malaysian politics (particularly in Peninsula Malaysia).

Factors

Dissatisfaction with Pakatan Harapan–Barisan Nasional unity government

The unprecedented cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional left many of supporters disillusioned. Some of them, especially those in BN could not accept the agreement of a unity government between BN and PH. Some of them, mainly UMNO members, also decided to leave BN to join either PAS or BERSATU. Most of Malay voters dissatisfied with BN transferred their votes to PN.[19]

On the other hand, relationship between PAS and PH has been acrimonious since the dissolution of Pakatan Rakyat in 2015. Disputes between PAS and DAP has left PAS split into two different factions. The faction in favour of continued cooperation with PH, led by Mohamad Sabu, left the party to form the National Trust Party (AMANAH). The other faction, led by Hadi, decided to sever ties with PH.

Young voters' choice
See also: UNDI18

The 2022 elections was the first time which voters aged 18 to 21 are allowed to vote. PAS and PN used social media to attract young voters to vote for PN.

Post-election analysis showed that 37 percent of youth voters cast their votes for PN, higher than both BN and PH. While both PH and BN relied on elderly voters, PN primarily relied on the youth vote. The reasons why more young voters supported PN included its use of TikTok for campaigning, and the rise of social conservatism among young Malays.[20][21]

Impact on the 2022 Malaysian general election and state elections
Main articles: 2022 Malaysian general election and 2022 Malaysian state elections
Results for 2022 general election. PN swept all the seats in northeast and northwest Peninsular Malaysia except Sungai Petani.

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, comprising of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) and Malaysian People's Movement Party (GERAKAN), won 74 seats in the Malaysian lower house, becoming the second largest coalition in Dewan Rakyat after PH. PAS had the most number of elected members in the Dewan Rakyat with 43 members, while BERSATU had 31 members. Most of the seats that had been captured by PN have more than 70% registered Malay voters.

In the state level, PN won all but one seat in Perlis, denied the BN dominance in Pahang and won the most seats in Perak.

Perlis
Main article: 2022 Perlis state election
PN swept all seats in Perlis except for Indera Kayangan.

The incumbent Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition faced a historic wipeout for first time in Perlis and second time in national level,[note 1] winning no seats. The PN coalition won 14 of the 15 seats, achieving a supermajority and formed the first ever non-BN government in the state's history. PH won the remaining seat and became the sole opposition.

Pahang
Main article: 2022 Pahang state election

The election resulted in a hung assembly with PN winning 17 seats, the same number of seats won by the incumbent BN coalition. It ended BN's dominance in the state. PH won the remaining 8 seats.

Perak
Main article: 2022 Perak state election

The results of the election resulted in a hung assembly. Although PN won 26 seats, it did not have enough seats to form a majority. PH won 24 seats and the incumbent BN coalition won the remaining 9 seats.

Impact on the 2023 Malaysian state elections
Main article: 2023 Malaysian state elections
Perikatan Nasional (PN) grabed 22 seats during the Selangor legislative assembly election, becoming the main opposition in the assembly. Meanwhile in Terengganu, Perikatan Nasional (PN) swept all 32 seats in the state legislative assembly.

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition won 146 seats out of 245 seats that were contested in 2023 state elections. The coalition won all seats in Terengganu, and gained a supermajority in Kedah and Kelantan. It also denied the PH-BN coalition's supermajority in Selangor, and became the main opposition for the first time in Negeri Sembilan.

Selangor
Main article: 2023 Selangor state election

The Barisan Nasional (BN)–Pakatan Harapan (PH) electoral pact won the election by capturing 34 of 56 seats, with PH winning 32 of those seats and BN winning 2 seats. The Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition won the remaining 22 seats to become the main opposition in the state assembly.

Kelantan
Main article: 2023 Kelantan state election

The governing PN coalition led by Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) won 43 of 45 seats, achieving a supermajority and continuing PAS's dominance in the state since 1990. The BN–PH electoral pact won the remaining two seats, with BN and PH each winning one seat and becoming the main opposition in the state assembly.

Terengganu
Main article: 2023 Terengganu state election

The PN coalition led by PAS won all 32 seats, recording the first clean sweep in the state's history since 1978. BN lost all the 10 seats it had prior to the election. This left the state assembly with no elected opposition representatives.

Negeri Sembilan
Main article: 2023 Negeri Sembilan state election

The BN–PH electoral pact won 31 of 36 seats, achieving a supermajority, with PH winning 17 of those seats and BN winning 14 seats. Although neither coalition had a majority, their electoral pact allowed them to form the majority. The PN coalition won the remaining 5 seats and became the main opposition in the state assembly.

Kedah
Main article: 2023 Kedah state election

The governing PN coalition led by PAS won 33 of 36 seats, achieving a supermajority. PH won the remaining three seats for the BN–PH electoral pact. This meant for the first time in the state's history, BN would have no representation in the state assembly. PH took BN's place as the state's main opposition.

Penang
Main article: 2023 Penang state election

The BN–PH electoral pact won 29 of 40 seats, with PH winning 27 of those seats and BN winning 2 seats. The PN coalition won the remaining 11 Malay-majority seats to become the main opposition in the state assembly.

Impact on the 2023 Malaysian by-elections

Kuala Terengganu
Main article: 2023 Kuala Terengganu by-election

PAS candidate managed to defend their victory in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat with a larger majority than in the 2022 general election.

Pulai and Simpang Jeram
Main articles: 2023 Pulai by-election and 2023 Simpang Jeram by-election

The PH candidates for both seats managed to defend the seats in a straight contest with PN. However, PN managed to reduce the majority of votes won by PH.[22][23]

Pelangai
Main article: 2023 Pelangai by-election

BN candidate managed to defend their victory in this seat with a smaller majority than in the 2022 state election.[24]

Kemaman
Main article: 2023 Kemaman by-election

See also

Note
  1. First time in Kelantan, happened in 1990.

References
  1. Rahman, Serina (26 January 2023). "Malaysia's 'Green Wave' Was a Long Time Coming". Fulcrum Singapore. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  2. Teng, Alex; Hilmy, Imran (9 December 2022). "'Green wave' sweeps over voters". The Star. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  3. Noorshahrizam, Shahrin Aizat (20 January 2023). "Iman Research: PAS' 'green wave' long time coming, came from lack of Pakatan presence and winning over first-time voters". Malay Mail. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  4. Ragu, Dineskumar (10 January 2023). "'Gelombang hijau' PAS akan berkembang dalam PRN, kata Hadi". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  5. Paulo, Derrick A.; Afandi, Zainudin (10 June 2023). "Malaysia's 'green wave': A threat to the country's politics and religious restraint?". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  6. Hassan, Hazlin (27 March 2023). "Will a second 'green wave' soon sweep Malaysia?". The Straits Times. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  7. "Hadi dakwa bukan Islam, bukan Bumiputera jadi majoriti perosak politik, ekonomi negara". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  8. "Hadi says PAS seeks to restore Malay leadership that follows Islamic principles wholly". Malay Mail. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  9. "Malaysia's Mahathir says he has support to return as PM". WAtoday. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  10. "Don't fear the 'green wave', Dr Mahathir tells Malaysians". Malay Mail. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  11. "Don't fear 'green wave', says Dr M". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  12. "Green Wave is a Malay-Muslim resurgence, not a threat, says MP". New Straits Times. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  13. "Pelangai win puts a dent to PN's green wave aspiration, says Pahang Umno chief". 7 October 2023.
  14. Basyir, Mohamed (25 July 2023). "Azmin: Green wave tag is just a scare tactic [NSTTV]". New Strait Times. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  15. "Chinese daily makes amendments to Guan Eng's 'green wave' speech". Malaysia Now. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  16. "Lim Guan Eng claims statement was twisted". Sinar Daily. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  17. "Pas hits back at Guan Eng over 'green wave will destroy temples' remark". New Straits Times. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  18. "Pelangai win puts a dent to PN's green wave aspiration, says Pahang Umno chief". 7 October 2023.
  19. Chin, James (15 August 2023). "Comment: Green Wave in M'sia state elections? Yes, but it's the same Green Wave". Mothership Singapore. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  20. "PRU15: Gelombang Hijau Penangan Pengundi Muda". 20 July 2023.
  21. "PN dapat undi tinggi di saluran pengundi muda". 20 November 2022.
  22. "Kemenangan PRK Pulai, Simpang Jeram bukti rakyat Johor matang politik". 10 September 2023.
  23. "PH sekat gelombang hijau di Johor". 10 September 2023.
  24. "Pelangai win puts a dent to PN's green wave aspiration, says Pahang Umno chief". 7 October 2023.
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