SUVANNABHUMI 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.03
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pISSN : 2092-738X / eISSN : 2799-7839
- https://journal.kci.go.kr/svn
KJCKorea
Journal Central
Malaysia’s Flawed Democracy: A Stumbling Block Towards Becoming a First World Developed Nation
- SUVANNABHUMI
- Abbr : SVN
- 2023, 15(2), pp.271-303
- DOI : 10.22801/svn.2023.15.2.271
- Publisher : Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies
- Research Area : Social Science > Area Studies > Southeast Asia
- Received : January 5, 2022
- Accepted : July 10, 2023
- Published : July 31, 2023
Juli Ooi 1
1Pusan National University
Accredited
ABSTRACT
In 1991, Malaysia, under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, launched an ambitious 30-year national development program known as Vision 2020. The goal of this program was to transform Malaysia into a First World developed nation by the year 2020. One of the aspirations of the program was to create a psychologically liberated, secure, ethical, and mature democratic society. Vision 2020 is a failure and Malaysia is still not a mature democracy. This article identifies four main areas that make up a flawed democracy practiced in Malaysia, and shows how they work against the country's aspirations to become a developed nation. The electoral system is rigged to help the incumbent remain in power. The widespread practices of money politics have become a curse to the country. The press and media organizations are restricted. Civil society activities are suppressed. As a result of these issues, Malaysia will not be able to achieve the status of a developed nation, lacking democratic accountability and inclusive institutions.
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