Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim faces crucial test in August state elections

The regional polls will not directly impact Anwar’s majority in parliament, but any significant losses for his coalition could lead to questions about his leadership

The elections will pit Anwar’s progressive, multi-ethnic coalition against a mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance led by former premier Muhyiddin Yassin

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Less than a year after taking office, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces a critical first test in state elections next month that pits his government against a powerful Islamic opposition. Photo: Pool via Reuters

Published: 5:00pm, 5 Jul 2023Updated: 6:37pm, 5 Jul 2023

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition government will face its first public vote of confidence in August, when six key states will head to the polls, the election commission said on Wednesday.

While the regional polls will not directly impact Anwar’s two-thirds majority in parliament, any significant losses for his coalition could lead to questions about his leadership and destabilise his ruling bloc, which came to power after a closely fought and divisive national election in November.

The six states of Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah will vote on August 12, Election Commission chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said at a press conference.

Malaysia’s elections commission said that polls in six states will be held on August 12. Photo: Reuters

Anwar’s coalition is currently in power in three of the six states.

Some 9.8 million voters will be eligible to cast a ballot. Nominations will be on July 29, allowing for a two-week campaign period.

The elections will pit Anwar’s progressive, multi-ethnic coalition against a mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance led by former premier Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) bloc is expected to pose a strong challenge to Anwar’s after making huge inroads in the Malay heartlands in the November election.