GE12 (2008) — Malaysian Politics

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The 'political tsunami': BN lost two-thirds majority and five states; birth of Pakatan Rakyat.

8 March 2008222 seats112 for a majority

Published 5 August 2026updated 28 August 2026

“Alliance/BN” held 140 of 222 seats — past the 112 needed to govern.

Alliance/BN140

PR/PH82

every seat, 2008

The road here

Parliament was dissolved on 13 February 2008, more than a year before its scheduled expiry. Voters went to the polls on 8 March after a 13-day campaign, with 222 parliamentary seats at stake.

The campaign’s reported issues included rising prices, concerns about the judiciary, alleged corruption, and questions of ethnic inequality. The Election Commission’s last-minute cancellation of planned indelible ink also drew criticism from the opposition; the EC said it had received information about a plan to use smuggled ink to disrupt voting.

BN sought another mandate on its record in government. PKR, DAP and PAS had no formal coalition at the time, but coordinated candidate placements in parts of the peninsula; their campaigns presented different programmes while sharing the objective of limiting BN’s parliamentary majority.

The result changed the parliamentary balance substantially from GE11: BN moved from 199 of 219 seats in 2004 to 140 of 222, while PKR, DAP and PAS together held 82 seats. BN nevertheless formed the federal government, and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in again as Prime Minister on 10 March. Opposition parties also formed or retained governments in five states. Turnout was 74.72%; BN received 51.12% of valid votes nationwide, compared with 47.19% combined for PKR, PAS and DAP.

What the sources say

Parliament was dissolved on 13 February 2008 by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s advice. Nomination day was 24 February and polling was held on 8 March, after a 13-day campaign.

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar

The campaign took place amid concerns about rising oil and consumer prices, perceived ethnic inequality, judicial independence, and the re-emergence of opposition politics around Anwar Ibrahim. BN campaigned under “Security, Peace and Prosperity”; PKR, PAS and DAP campaigned on differing platforms and coordinated to avoid some three-cornered contests.

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar

The Election Commission cancelled the planned use of indelible ink four days before polling. EC chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said authorities had uncovered a plan to use smuggled ink to mark voters before they voted; opposition parties dismissed that explanation and criticised the cancellation.

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar AFP and AP

Compared with GE11 in 2004, when BN won 198 of 219 seats on election day (199 after a subsequent election petition), BN won 140 of the enlarged 222-seat Dewan Rakyat in GE12; PKR won 31 seats, DAP 28 and PAS 23.

Inter-Parliamentary Union

BN retained the federal government. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in on 10 March 2008 for a second term as Prime Minister.

Inter-Parliamentary Union

Opposition parties formed or retained state governments in Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor following the election.

Al Jazeera

Turnout was 74.72% of 10,922,139 registered electors. BN received 51.12% of valid votes nationwide; PKR received 19.15%, PAS 14.29% and DAP 13.75%.

Inter-Parliamentary Union

An archived Election Commission-hosted results page records the GE12 Dewan Rakyat results for polling day, 8 March 2008.

Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia

Why, and who says so

Explanations for a result are arguments, not facts.

How much new media affected the result

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar wrote that opposition parties used websites, blogs and YouTube to offset limited favourable mainstream-media coverage, but said its influence remained debatable because surveys placed the internet below newspapers and television as news sources.. Abdul Rashid Moten argued that three opposition parties’ cooperation and use of alternative media contributed to their winning 82 seats.

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar Abdul Rashid Moten

Whether the result chiefly reflected economic dissatisfaction or changes in coalition support

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar characterised voters as responding to “bread and butter” issues highlighted in the campaign.. Thomas B. Pepinsky’s later quantitative study argued that state-level economic and incumbency measures did not explain the aggregate pattern, instead identifying weaker support for BN’s non-UMNO component parties in Peninsular Malaysia as central.

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar Thomas B. Pepinsky

advanced by political scientist Abdul Rashid Moten

Abdul Rashid Moten

advanced by blogger and activist Raja Petra Kamarudin in contemporaneous reporting

Al Jazeera

Still open

Why Abdullah chose the dissolution date; the sources cited here do not establish a comprehensive explanation.

Promises

Manifesto ofBarisan Nasional — Malaysia 2008: Progress Report and Manifesto, launched 2008. Government: March 2008 – the 2013 federal election.

The Prime Minister changed inside this tenure: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was succeeded by Najib Razak in April 2009.

Roughly half of this manifesto is a 2004–2007 progress report; only its forward-looking commitments appear below.

Likely met — the record shows the promised action itself, dated within the tenure
Records found — related records exist; accounts may differ or fall short of the pledge
None found — no record located

P28 · Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

“Bring down the country’s crime index”.

PDRM's archived NKRA account reports year-on-year reductions in recorded index crime of 15.4% (2010), 11.1% (2011) and 7.8% (2012), and identifies community-policing and volunteer-patrol measures.

The Edge reported the GTP’s 2012 account as a 7.6% fall in index crime and a 41.3% fall in street crime. This differs from the PDRM page’s 7.8% index-crime figure. The Edge, 19 March 2013, “Najib: GTP hasn’t been easy but results are in”

Economy

P1Productivity, income and competitivenessRecords found

“Raise the nation’s productivity, income and competitiveness levels”.

Economy, printed pp. 4–5.

What we found

Najib tabled the Tenth Malaysia Plan on 10 June 2010. The plan framed high income, inclusiveness and sustainability as policy objectives; this is a related framework, not a measure of productivity or income delivery.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (London)

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported Najib’s tabling of the 10MP and its stated objectives of high income, inclusiveness and sustainability. Malaysiakini, 10 June 2010, “Intipati Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10”

P2Cost-of-living pressuresRecords found

“Cushion the effects of rising prices and ensure quality living standards for the people”.

Economy, pp. 4–5.

What we found

The first Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia opened on 22 June 2011. The Finance Ministry records 250 items at prices up to 40% lower than market prices; it describes Menu Rakyat 1Malaysia meals at RM2 and RM4, without giving a launch date.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini’s 24 June 2011 visit to the Kelana Jaya outlet reported lower prices for some essentials, while saying consumers had not yet been able to assess the quality of the 1Malaysia-branded products.

Norain Saleh and Norsyafinas Ahmad Sukri

P3Private-sector-led growthRecords found

“Strengthen private sector’s role as the main driver of economic growth”.

Economy, pp. 4–5.

What we found

In a 5 April 2010 Axiata ASEAN Leadership Forum speech, Najib described the New Economic Model as enabling and empowering the private sector while reshaping and energising the public sector. It is a policy statement, not a quantified outcome.

Independent reporting

In a retrospective commentary, Malaysiakini said the NEM was launched before the 10MP and discussed it as a response to inequality and Malaysia’s economic transformation. Malaysiakini, 31 October 2017, “What Najibnomics? It’s Nothing-nomics”

P4SMEs and entrepreneursNone found

“Nurture and assist 1 million SMEs and entrepreneurs over 5 years”.

Economy, pp. 4–5.

What we found

None found. Searches located the 2011 Economic Census total of 645,136 SMEs, but not a programme return counting SMEs and entrepreneurs assisted under this pledge.

P5Quality jobsRecords found

“Generate at least 2 million quality job opportunities over 5 years”.

Economy, pp. 4–5.

What we found

DOSM's long-run series records 10.6596 million employed persons in 2008 and 13.5454 million in 2013. It records employment levels, not jobs caused by policy or job quality.

Department of Statistics Malaysia

Independent reporting

The Edge reported that the government cited growth since 2011 and programmes including Jobs Malaysia and Skim Latihan 1Malaysia when answering a question on employment; it did not independently assess job quality or causation. The Edge, 23 May 2013, “Wahid: Unemployment rate at ‘respectable’ level”

P6Budget deficitRecords found

“Reduce the Budget deficit further – more funds for development, without increasing taxes”.

Economy, pp. 4–5.

What we found

The Finance Ministry's 2013/14 Economic Report records a federal deficit of 4.5% of GDP in 2012 and projects 4.0% for 2013. It does not establish the manifesto baseline or address the “without increasing taxes” limb.

P7Five Development CorridorsRecords found

“Follow through on 5 Development Corridors to bring equitable growth, investment and job opportunities to all parts of Malaysia”.

Economy, pp. 4–5.

What we found

MOF records 181 revised corridor projects in 2010, 162 implemented and 19 in the pipeline, with RM3.4 billion allocated; its 2012/13 report records RM978 million in the 2012 Budget to accelerate the five corridors.

Independent reporting

mStar’s Budget 2012 summary reported the RM978 million allocation to accelerate development in the five regional corridors. mStar, 7 October 2011, “Intipati Belanjawan 2012”

After the tenure

Corridor development periods extended beyond 2013.

Balanced Development

P8Poverty reductionRecords found

“Eradicate hardcore poverty and bring the overall poverty rate down to 2.8% by 2010”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

DOSM’s national series records overall poverty at 3.6% (2007), 3.8% (2009) and 1.7% (2012), and hardcore poverty at 0.7% (2007), 0.7% (2009) and 0.2% (2012). It has no 2010 observation, so it does not provide a measurement at the pledge’s stated date.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported DOSM’s finding that national poverty incidence rose between 2007 and 2009, citing the 2009 household-income and basic-amenities survey.

Malaysiakini

The official series is a poverty measurement, not evidence assigning any change to a particular programme

P9Rural employment and incomeRecords found

“Increase quality rural jobs and incomes”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

The 10MP described rural basic infrastructure—roads, water, electricity and communications—as enabling economic activity. It is a related infrastructure action, not an employment or income measure.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (London)

P10Low-income urban householdsRecords found

“Improve services and facilities for low-income urban households including rural to urban migrants”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

Malay Mail reported that the GTP treated raising the living standards of low-income households as an NKRA and that BR1M 2.0 paid RM2.91 billion to 6.8 million low-income earners and eligible singles in 2013. This is the outlet’s account of the GTP report.

Independent reporting

Malay Mail reported the GTP’s account of BR1M payments and described the scheme as assistance aimed at low-income households; the figures are attributed to the government’s report. Malay Mail, 12 May 2014, “PM: GTP hit 2013 targets”

P11HousingRecords found

“Improve provision of quality and affordable housing”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

The 2012 Budget identified PR1MA as the agency for affordable, quality homes and recorded its Putrajaya/Bandar Tun Razak pipeline. A parliamentary answer states PR1MA was established under the PR1MA Act 2012 (Act 739).

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported the Budget 2012 announcement that PR1MA would be established as a single agency to develop and maintain affordable, quality housing for middle-income households. Malaysiakini, 7 October 2011, “K’jaan umum rumah mampu milik untuk semua”

After the tenure

MOF’s 2012/13 report said the first PR1MA project, launched in Putrajaya in July 2011, was expected to be completed by 2014. Ministry of Finance, 2012, “Economic Report 2012/2013”

P12HealthcareRecords found

“Ensure access to modern quality healthcare”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

MOH says Klinik 1Malaysia began on 7 January 2010 to provide basic primary care for the urban poor. It records 87 clinics and 1,986,535 visits in 2011, against 3,314,115 cumulative visits from 2010 through December 2011.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported in July 2010 that Klinik 1Malaysia had been introduced. It also separately reported allegations of malpractice at the clinics in March 2010; that was an allegation reported by the outlet, not a finding in the government account. Malaysiakini, 10 July 2010, “PM: Banyak lagi produk 1Malaysia akan diperkenal”

Susan Loone

This is the ministry’s account of the clinics and visits

P13Urban public transportRecords found

“Upgrade urban public transport and reduce traffic congestion”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

SPAD was constituted on 3 June 2010 under the Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat Act 2010 (Act 714). The separate Land Public Transport Act 2010 is Act 715. The 10MP made SPAD the lead agency and set out MRT implementation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (London)

Independent reporting

mStar reported in June 2010 that SPAD had been established following passage of the two 2010 public-transport Acts and described its role in improving land public transport.

mStar

P14Roads outside developed areasRecords found

“Enhance road development in rural and other less developed areas”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

The 10MP announced plans to build 6,300 km of paved roads in Peninsular Malaysia, 2,500 km in Sabah and 2,800 km in Sarawak.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (London)

After the tenure

The plan ran to 2015.

P15Rail and aviationRecords found

“Upgrade rail and aviation infrastructure”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

The 10MP set out implementation of the Klang Valley high-capacity MRT system. No comparably specific aviation action was retrieved in this pass.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (London)

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported the 10MP’s proposed high-capacity MRT for Greater Kuala Lumpur, including the reported 150 km network and projected daily capacity. Malaysiakini, 10 June 2010, “Intipati Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10”

P16Rural electricity in Sabah and SarawakRecords found

“Improve rural electricity coverage in Sabah to 81% and Sarawak to 90% by 2010”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

The 10MP planned rural electricity extensions to 59,000 homes in Sabah and 76,000 in Sarawak. It is a 2011–15 plan, later than the pledge’s 2010 deadline.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (London)

After the tenure

The plan ran to 2015.

P17Water supply in Sabah and SarawakRecords found

“Improve water supply coverage to 70% in both Sabah and Sarawak by 2010”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

The 10MP planned water extensions to 112,700 homes in Sabah and 87,400 in Sarawak, with later 2015 targets of 98% and 95% respectively. This does not supply a 2010 result.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (London)

After the tenure

The plan ran to 2015.

P18Digital divide and broadbandRecords found

“Continue to close the digital divide and improve broadband internet penetration via the National Broadband Plan”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

MCMC says the Prime Minister announced incentives under the National Broadband Initiative on 24 March 2010; its release identifies Universal Service Provision-funded community broadband facilities. Budget 2010 set out the RM11.3 billion HSBB project.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini’s press roundup reported New Straits Times coverage that the National Broadband Initiative would bring internet access nationwide. Malaysiakini, 26 March 2010, “Headlines online: March 26, 2010”

The MCMC source records an announcement of incentives, not an NBI or HSBB launch on that date

P19New Villages master planNone found

“Continue to implement the New Villages Development Masterplan”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

None found. A 2006 Hansard reference and 2010 expenditure objectives for New Villages were located, but not the plan itself or a GE12 implementation report tied to it.

P20Equitable opportunities and Kelantan initiativeRecords found

“Equitable distribution of quality opportunities in income generation, employment, business and education to all parts of Malaysia. Towards this end, the ‘Kelantan Baru, Kelantan Maju’ initiative will deliver development and better quality of life to people in the state”.

Balanced Development, pp. 6–7.

What we found

MOF's corridor record includes the East Coast Economic Region, which the Borneo Post says covers Kelantan. The 2012 Budget included an ECER agropolitan scheme in Besut. No operational instrument or programme report expressly using “Kelantan Baru, Kelantan Maju” was retrieved.

Independent reporting

Borneo Post identified the East Coast Economic Region as covering Kelantan. It did not report an operational programme expressly titled “Kelantan Baru, Kelantan Maju”. Borneo Post, 24 June 2012, “Five Corridors: Gateway to prosperity”

Education

P21Teacher qualifications and trainingRecords found

“Raise teachers’ minimum qualifications and provide more training opportunities”.

Education, pp. 8–9.

What we found

The preliminary Education Blueprint records that primary teachers' minimum pre-service qualification was raised from diploma to bachelor's degree in 2007, before this tenure; it also records study allowances for existing teachers and 31% with at least a bachelor's degree by 2010.

Ministry of Education

Independent reporting

mStar’s report on the 10MP said the proportion of degree-qualified primary-school teachers had risen from 6% in 2005 to 28% in 2009; it did not independently evaluate training quality. mStar, 10 June 2010, “RMK10 - Pembelajaran”

The cited qualification change predates the pledge; the document is a preliminary report, not the December 2012 final Blueprint

P22National schools and language teachingRecords found

“Continue to make national schools the school of choice by, among others, expanding the teaching of Mandarin and Tamil”.

Education, pp. 8–9.

What we found

A 23 June 2010 Dewan Rakyat answer said Mandarin and Tamil teaching in national schools would be expanded progressively and teachers supplied. No retrieved source reported the schools, teacher deployment, or pupil take-up.

Independent reporting

mStar reported Muhyiddin’s plan to implement mother-tongue language teaching in national schools and said 373 Mandarin and 163 Tamil teachers were then teaching in national schools under POL.

mStar

P23National-type schoolsRecords found

“Safeguard the position of national-type schools”.

Education, pp. 8–9.

What we found

MOF records that a RM1 billion special fund allocated RM100 million each to 822 Chinese national-type schools and 224 Tamil national-type schools, among other categories, and records school-facility projects.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported the RM1 billion special fund and its stated RM100 million allocations each for Chinese and Tamil national-type schools. Malaysiakini, 7 October 2011, “RM200 juta bantu SJKC dan SJKT”

This is the ministry’s account of allocations and projects

P24Student interactionNone found

“Enhance national unity by fostering student interaction”.

Education, pp. 8–9.

What we found

None found. Searches on student interaction, school integration and unity programmes did not retrieve a dated GE12 programme record specifically addressing student interaction.

P25Undergraduate scholarshipsNone found

“Provide more scholarships at the undergraduate level for poor but deserving students regardless of race”.

Education, pp. 8–9.

What we found

None found. No retrieved JPA/KPT data stated the additional degree awards, household-income criterion and race-neutral selection required to link an action to this pledge.

P26Apex universitiesNone found

“Identify apex universities and provide more autonomy and resources for public institutions of higher learning to attain world-class standards”.

Education, pp. 8–9.

What we found

None found. Searches located background references to the pre-election apex-university initiative but no retrieved instrument or dated tenure record matching both autonomy and resources.

P27Science and technology investmentNone found

“Raise investment in science and technology particularly in indigenous R&D”.

Education, pp. 8–9.

What we found

None found. The 10MP contains innovation policy, but no source was retrieved that safely identifies a dated increase in indigenous R&D investment attributable to this pledge.

Law & Order

P28Crime index◆ Records found

“Bring down the country’s crime index”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

PDRM's archived NKRA account reports year-on-year reductions in recorded index crime of 15.4% (2010), 11.1% (2011) and 7.8% (2012), and identifies community-policing and volunteer-patrol measures.

Independent reporting

The PDRM page cites Kosmo and has no stated publication date; its URL carries a 17 June 2014 archive date

P29Drugs and social illsNone found

“Tackle drug abuse and other social ills”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

None found. Searches retrieved general anti-drug material but no concrete, dated programme record securely tied to this broad two-part pledge.

P30Illegal immigrationNone found

“Address the issue of illegal immigrants”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

None found. The cited MiDAS conference paper could not be retrieved; its registration, legalisation and departure figures therefore cannot be used. Searches for a retrievable official 6P return did not locate one in this repair pass.

The figure of 1,303,126 registrations is corroborated in published migration literature, but no retrievable source was located here for the entry’s other figures

P31Police personnelRecords found

“Add 60,000 Police personnel by 2011”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

PDRM recorded a plan to train 12,000 annually toward a 150,000 force by 2011. It says the target could not be achieved because facilities were insufficient and training-centre construction was delayed, and proposed 48,842 further trainees through early 2015.

PDRM

After the tenure

PDRM's revised training period ran to early 2015.

PDRM attributes the 60,000/150,000 target to its Five-Year Strategic Plan beginning in 2007, before the manifesto

P32Police stations and beat basesRecords found

“Set up more than 150 new Police stations and beat bases to increase presence in more neighbourhoods”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

The retrieved PDRM training record documents the connected personnel-expansion programme but supplies no station/beat-base completion inventory. None found for the specific construction target.

Independent reporting

Daily Express reported in 2012 that a police beat base for Taman Kingfisher was planned by converting a vacant building; it reported a plan, not completion.

Daily Express

P33Safety in community spacesRecords found

“Improve safety in schools, playgrounds and public areas”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

A Johor state-assembly reply records the reactivation and expansion of the Safe City Programme to 149 local authorities from December 2009 to December 2010, with 15 crime-prevention measures. It is a public-place action, not a school- or playground-specific record.

Johor State Legislative Assembly

The cited assembly reply is a government account; it replaces the previous staging-server citation

P34Community policingRecords found

“Enhance community policing via partnerships with non-governmental organisations, the private sector and local community”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

PDRM identifies community policing and volunteer-patrol measures among the initial crime-NKRA actions.

This is PDRM’s account of the measures

P35Police capabilityRecords found

“Upgrade Police communications technology, armaments, vehicles, technical aids and training”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

PDRM's training record confirms a training-expansion programme but does not document upgrades to communications, arms, vehicles or technical aids. None found for the full listed package.

Independent reporting

Malay Mail reported the Auditor-General’s 2012 report as recording missing police assets between 2010 and 2012, including firearms, vehicles, walkie-talkies and radios; this is separate from the training action recorded above.

Malay Mail

P36Crime hot-spotsRecords found

“Focus Police operations and resources in crime hot-spots across the country”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

The crime NKRA was launched in 2010 with measures including community policing and volunteer patrols; the retrieved PDRM record does not publish a hot-spot deployment inventory.

P37Police-district boundariesNone found

“Redelineate Police districts to better match Police resources with community security needs”.

Law & Order, pp. 10–11.

What we found

None found. No retrieved gazette, police order or PDRM report records a police-district redelineation in the tenure.

Public Services

P38E-governmentRecords found

“Speed up implementation of e-government initiatives”.

Public Services, pp. 14–15.

What we found

Development of the judiciary's e-Kehakiman began in 2010, initially covering e-Filing, case management, queue management and court recording for civil proceedings.

After the tenure

The same page says e-Kehakiman extended to criminal proceedings at all court levels from 2017.

This is a government account

P39Land and district officesNone found

“Complete overhaul of all land offices and district offices”.

Public Services, pp. 14–15.

What we found

None found. No retrieved implementation programme or office-by-office overhaul record was found.

P40Licences and permitsRecords found

“Speed up issuance of licences and permits”.

Public Services, pp. 14–15.

What we found

HRDF records MyCoID phase one launched on 11 February 2010 and phase two on 3 November 2010, automating incorporation-related registrations with named agencies. SSM’s annual report says its gateway was used for online company registration from 6 February 2011.

Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia

P41Local-authority ratingsNone found

“Establish rating system for local authorities to improve performance”.

Public Services, pp. 14–15.

What we found

None found. No retrieved rating-system instrument or local-authority results table was located.

P42Civil-service performanceNone found

“Tie civil servants’ promotions, rewards and penalties more closely to performance targets”.

Public Services, pp. 14–15.

What we found

None found. The sole GTP Annual Report URL previously cited is unretrievable, and no replacement source was located in this repair pass for the stated KPI cascade or consequence-management claims.

P43Diversity in public serviceNone found

“Increase ethnic diversity in the public sector”.

Public Services, pp. 14–15.

What we found

None found. No retrieved public-service recruitment data or policy action demonstrates a change in ethnic diversity during the tenure.

P44Responses to public complaintsRecords found

“Have a 3 to 7-day response time by all government agencies to all public queries and complaints”.

Public Services, pp. 14–15.

What we found

Malaysiakini reported in January 2010 that a 14-day response period for public letters had been made mandatory, with monitoring by the Public Complaints Bureau. This is not the manifesto's three-to-seven-day period.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported the mandatory 14-day response period and that the Public Complaints Bureau would monitor it. Malaysiakini, 14 January 2010, “K’jaan wajibkan 14 hari jawab surat awam”

Reducing Corruption and Improving Governance

P45Anti-corruption enforcementRecords found

“Continue to enforce anti-corruption measures without fear or favour”.

Reducing Corruption and Improving Governance, pp. 16–17.

What we found

EAIC’s FAQ identifies the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 as Act 694 and says it established the MACC. A parliamentary answer discusses section 24 of the Act and penalties; it does not state the Act number or establishment claim.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported in January 2010 that the MACC chief referred to section 29(4) of the MACC Act when discussing disclosure of complaint information, showing the Act’s use in contemporaneous reporting; it did not report the establishment claim itself. Malaysiakini, 13 January 2010, “SPRM: Tindakan jika dedah aduan kepada media”

This is a statutory institutional action, not evidence about “without fear or favour”

P46Monitoring and enforcement agenciesRecords found

“Strengthen monitoring and enforcement by agencies such as the ACA, Customs, Inland Revenue and local authorities”.

Reducing Corruption and Improving Governance, pp. 16–17.

What we found

EAIC says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission was established through the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Act 694). No retrieved source separately documents strengthened monitoring or enforcement across Customs, Inland Revenue and local authorities.

The cited source does not support a claim that Act 694 replaced the ACA

P47Special Complaints CommissionRecords found

“Establish an effective Special Complaints Commission to act on complaints of misconduct in enforcement agencies”.

Reducing Corruption and Improving Governance, pp. 16–17.

What we found

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700) was gazetted 3 September 2009 and came into force 1 April 2011. EAIC says it receives and investigates misconduct complaints involving 21 listed agencies; its FAQ says MACC is outside EAIC's supervision.

Independent reporting

The Malaysian Bar reported Amnesty International Malaysia’s and Suaram’s criticism of the EAIC Bill; it attributed those organisations’ positions, including their concern that the proposed body lacked independence and power. Malaysian Bar, 13 March 2009, “AIM, Suaram slam EAIC Bill”

P48Integrity cultureNone found

“Continue to foster a culture of integrity and high ethical standards through the National Integrity Plan”.

Reducing Corruption and Improving Governance, pp. 16–17.

What we found

None found. The MACC legislation is not a specific implementation record for the National Integrity Plan.

Religion, Unity

P49Understanding of IslamNone found

“Build a better understanding of Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims through Islam Hadhari”.

Religion, Unity, pp. 18–19.

What we found

None found. Searches located Islam Hadhari as the Abdullah administration's approach but no dated tenure programme or survey establishing the pledged understanding work.

P50Inter-faith dialogueRecords found

“Increase dialogue on inter-faith issues”.

Religion, Unity, pp. 18–19.

What we found

JAKIM says the Jawatankuasa Mempromosikan Persefahaman Antara Penganut Agama (JKMPKA) ran from 2010 to 2019 and undertook understanding and harmony activities jointly.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported in April 2010 that an inter-religious understanding committee was being considered, and separately reported objections from the Perak Fatwa Committee and a statement from MCCBCHST about the committee’s work.; Malaysiakini, 13 April 2010, “Mccbchst: Layani kami dengan hormat”

Hazlan Zakaria

After the tenure

JAKIM says the HARMONI committee has operated since 14 August 2020 after a rebranding.

JAKIM gives 2010–2019, not a 31 December 2019 end date

P51Diverse culturesNone found

“Enhance appreciation for diverse cultures among Malaysia’s multiethnic people through the Department of National Unity and National Integration”.

Religion, Unity, pp. 18–19.

What we found

None found. No dated Department programme record was retrieved that can safely be identified with this pledge.

P52J-QAFNone found

“Expand the teaching of J-QAF to more schools”.

Religion, Unity, pp. 18–19.

What we found

None found. The sole cited copy of the purported Ministry implementation guide is a preview-only Scribd user upload; no retrievable original was located in this repair pass.

P53Reserve land for places of worshipNone found

“Ensure provision of reserve land for places of worship in newly developed areas in accordance with developed guidelines”.

Religion, Unity, pp. 18–19.

What we found

None found. The document's own progress panel says guidelines had been developed before the election; no retrieved 2008–13 planning instrument or enforcement record was found.

P54Places of worshipNone found

“Facilitate construction, consolidation and relocation of all places of worship via state government mechanism, co-ordinated at federal level, that will protect the interests of all communities”.

Religion, Unity, pp. 18–19.

What we found

None found.

P55Unity programmesNone found

“Improve unity programmes, especially in schools and institutions of higher learning”.

Religion, Unity, pp. 18–19.

What we found

None found. Searches found broad 1Malaysia material but not a dated, pledge-specific unity-programme action in schools or higher education.

Foreign Policy

P56International affairsRecords found

“Continue to play an active, principled and impartial role in international affairs”.

Foreign Policy, pp. 20–21.

What we found

In his 27 September 2010 UN General Assembly statement, Najib called for a Global Movement of Moderates, saying that the relevant divide was between moderates and extremists of all religions. This is an international initiative, not a measure of all three qualitative descriptors in the pledge.

United Nations

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini’s 2010 year-end review reported Najib’s call for a global group of religious moderates to oppose extremists, and reported that Hillary Clinton supported the proposal during her Malaysia visit. Malaysiakini, 31 December 2010, “Pendedahan Wikileaks tutup tirai 2010”

P57Trade and investment linkagesRecords found

“Expand trade and investment linkages”.

Foreign Policy, pp. 20–21.

What we found

In a 5 April 2010 Axiata ASEAN Leadership Forum speech, Najib described the New Economic Model (NEM) as enabling the private sector and tied investment to high-income transformation. No retrieved trade agreement or investment record was sufficiently specific to use here.

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini reported the National Economic Advisory Council’s final NEM recommendations, including discussion of private investment weakness and proposed changes involving GLCs. Malaysiakini, 2 December 2010, “MPEN: Jual GLC bagi biayai dana kekayaan negara”

The source is a speech, not the 10MP; NEM means New Economic Model, not the earlier New Economic Policy (NEP)

P58OIC economic agendaNone found

“Advance the economic agenda of the OIC through capacity-building programmes in less developed OIC countries”.

Foreign Policy, pp. 20–21.

What we found

None found. MTCP is a long-running capacity-building programme for developing countries, but no retrieved 2008–13 record ties it specifically to the OIC economic agenda.

P59West–Muslim world partnershipsRecords found

“Promote strategic partnerships between the West and the Muslim world to advance the economic agenda of the Makkah Declaration 2005”.

Foreign Policy, pp. 20–21.

What we found

Najib’s 27 September 2010 UN statement called for a Global Movement of Moderates across religions. No retrieved source connects that initiative specifically to the Makkah Declaration’s economic agenda.

United Nations

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini’s 2010 year-end review reported Najib’s Global Movement of Moderates proposal as involving people of all religions against extremist groups. It did not connect the initiative specifically to the Makkah Declaration’s economic agenda. Malaysiakini, 31 December 2010, “Pendedahan Wikileaks tutup tirai 2010”

P60Dialogue with the WestRecords found

“Continue to build bridges between the Muslim world and the West through continuous dialogue”.

Foreign Policy, pp. 20–21.

What we found

Najib’s 27 September 2010 UN statement called for a Global Movement of Moderates and described the divide as being between moderates and extremists across religions. It is related dialogue and moderation action, not a record of continuous West–Muslim dialogue.

United Nations

Independent reporting

Malaysiakini’s 2010 year-end review reported the Global Movement of Moderates proposal and reported US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s support for it. It did not report a continuous West–Muslim dialogue programme. Malaysiakini, 31 December 2010, “Pendedahan Wikileaks tutup tirai 2010”

P61World’s poorest countriesRecords found

“Contribute towards a development agenda for the world’s poorest countries”.

Foreign Policy, pp. 20–21.

What we found

MTCP provides training, technical advice, scholarships, expert dispatch and related support to developing-country participants. The retrieved page is current and does not quantify its 2008–13 activity, so it establishes the programme's function rather than a tenure result.

Independent reporting

mStar reported that Wisma Putra took over the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme from 1 January 2010 and, citing its statement, said more than 20,000 participants from 140 countries had benefited since its establishment.

mStar

Every promise, every election →

← GE11 (2004)GE13 (2013) →

Common questions

What actually happened in GE12?

GE12 reduced BN's Dewan Rakyat seats from 199 of 219 in 2004 to 140 of 222, while PKR, DAP and PAS together won 82 seats. Opposition parties also formed or retained governments in Kedah, Kelantan, Penang, Perak and Selangor. Turnout was 74.72% of 10,922,139 registered electors.

Inter-Parliamentary Union Al Jazeera

Who formed the federal government after GE12?

BN retained the federal government after GE12. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was sworn in on 10 March 2008 for a second term as Prime Minister, although BN had won 140 seats in the enlarged 222-seat Dewan Rakyat rather than the 199 seats it held after GE11.

Inter-Parliamentary Union

How many people voted in GE12?

Turnout was 74.72% of the 10,922,139 registered electors. Nationwide, BN received 51.12% of valid votes, while PKR received 19.15%, PAS 14.29% and DAP 13.75%.

Inter-Parliamentary Union

What happened to indelible ink in the 2008 election?

The Election Commission cancelled its planned use of indelible ink four days before polling. EC chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said authorities had uncovered a plan to use smuggled ink to mark voters before they voted; opposition parties rejected that explanation and criticised the cancellation.

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar AFP and AP

Why did BN lose so many seats in GE12?

The sources give different explanations. Tunku Mohar Mokhtar emphasised voters' response to campaign issues including prices, while Thomas B. Pepinsky's study argued that state-level economic and incumbency measures did not explain the overall pattern and pointed instead to weaker support for BN's non-UMNO component parties in Peninsular Malaysia.

Tunku Mohar Mokhtar Thomas B. Pepinsky

The road here

What the sources say

Why, and who says so

How much new media affected the result

Whether the result chiefly reflected economic dissatisfaction or changes in coalition support

Still open

Promises

“Bring down the country’s crime index”.

Economy

Balanced Development

Education

Law & Order

Public Services

Reducing Corruption and Improving Governance

Religion, Unity

Foreign Policy

Common questions

Related