IF the 2018 general election heralded a new Malaysia, the just-concluded six state elections should cause the country to embrace a new federalism.

Federalism divides political power between the different parts of the federation. In Malaysia, there is the “federal government” and the “state government”.

Like the idea of separation of powers, federalism is about sharing power between the different entities – federal and states. This also means outlining or limiting the power of each of the entities.

By dividing power between the entities, federalism strengthens representative democracy to protect liberty, encourage experimentation and reform, and promote local decisions on issues of local importance.

The last was what the state elections should be about. Did we witness that?

When federalism allows for federal and state elections not to be held simultaneously, state elections should be about local issues.

In Australia, a federal election is held at least once every three years. Election day is always on a Saturday. State polls are held every four years so that federal and state elections are not held at the same time. The law states that state elections cannot take place in the week before or after a federal election.

State elections decide the state government that will make decisions about issues that affect the local residents, such as hospitals; crime prevention; education and training; transport and road safety. These are local issues.

Instead, in the election campaigns we just witnessed, we hear about the polls being a referendum on the federal government (which it is not), issues of race, religion and royalty, and the national economy.

Both sides of the divide campaigned on those lines.

So kudos to the Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (Bersih) for spearheading the #VoteLokal campaign, intended o put the focus on state and local issues. The campaign rightly highlighted that state governments appoint local councillors, whose decisions directly impact local services, development and businesses.

In short, state elections are important because they directly impact the people’s quality of life.

Be that as it may, it is heartening to note there have been positive remarks following the election results. 

Pakatan Harapan chairman and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in urging all Malaysians and political parties to set aside their differences and work towards improving the country, said: “This is the time for everyone across all parties, despite winning or losing, to unite and uphold peace.” 

Anwar also assured Malaysians that the unity government would work even harder following the state polls.

“As we move into Monday, the federal unity government will redouble its efforts to propel Malaysia towards achievements that everyone can take pride in,” he said.

Kedah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was reported to have assured the people that the new state government would not mistreat the state opposition. He promised a state government that is “fair, loving and rich with ehsan”.

If the promises are kept, there should be only one winner and no losers in the elections. We should be able to reject PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that the election results are a sign of  the rakyat’s rejection of the PH-Barisan Nasional pact.

Instead, we should embrace the one winner – that is, a new federalism that divides and limits power and protects the individual; which is modern, flexible and efficient, giving the people a range of choices and allowing policies and services to be tailored to meet the needs of the communities.

The new federalism should bring economic and social advantages to the people.

It should not be short-lived like the new Malaysia. – August 13, 2023.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.