This book aims to give a comprehensive picture of law, government and the constitution in Malaysia, and to set constitutional developments in their proper political and social context. It is written in such a way that lawyers may see how perspectives other than the purely legal can enrich the understanding of constitutional issues in Malaysia and that others may comprehend the lawyer's perspective on these issues. There has been an increasing interest in constitutional issues in Malaysia since the mid-1980s following a number of important events, including the advent of judicial activism and the curtailment of royal powers. There is now a pressing need for a reappraisal of the Malaysian constitution in terms of its political and social dimensions and dynamics, and the extent of its adherence to, or its interpretation of, those principles which are collectively known as `constitutionalism', that is, democratic government, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the observance of fundamental human rights and liberties. The book examines how the constitution has adjusted to its environment, how it actually operates and how its abstractions differ from reality. The author concludes that the principles of the constitution have been eroded to such a degree that a new constitutional settlement is needed - one which makes it clear what the basic tenets of the Malaysian polity are.

Why should the university or college student study political science? What good will it do him, or her, in later life? Will it help the student in getting a job, in “getting ahead”? First of all it should be made clear that the primary objective of this political study is “citizenship training”. Its aim is to better the condition of human beings by helping them to realise their rights and obligations. However the “good” citizen, who behaves and votes regularly, is no longer good enough. Mere innocence, virtue and good intentions will not help societies develop and move in the right direction. Students must also be citizens who are knowledgeable. They must know how their governments operate, what interests and forces are behind particular policies, what the results of such policies are likely to be, who their elected representatives are, and what they stand for. The governance and political study enables students to understand the processes and institutions of societal decision-making. Such an understanding often includes knowing who makes the decision, for what reason and in whose interest, as well as how decisions can be encouraged, modified or prevented by citizens, as a member of any social systems. The purpose of governance and political study is not limited to the provision of relevant information. Students can follow a career as a professional politician. Even though the said knowledge is not required to enter the political field but it is considered an asset if one has adequate grounding in this area. This book has been ‘blended’ by three authors in order to make it more effective and relevant to the current issues so that it can be understood by the readers efficiently. Finally they can work within government bureaucracies such as ministry or a state department especially those dealing with public planning, national integration, political development, national unity, policy making and diplomatic services.

Bringing together a group of both international and Malaysian scholars, this book offers an up-to-date and broad analysis of the contemporary state of Malaysian politics and society. Transcending disciplinary boundaries, it offers a look at Malaysian politics not only through the lens of political science but also anthropology, cultural studies, international relations, political economy and legal studies touching on both overlooked topics in Malaysian political life as well as the emerging trends which will shape Malaysia's future. Covering silat martial arts, Malaysia's constitutional identity, emergency legislation, the South China Sea dilemma, ISIS discourse, zakat payment, the fallout from the 1MDB scandal and Malaysia's green movement, Illusions of Democracy charts the complex and multi-faceted nature of political life in a semi-authoritarian state, breaking down the illusions which keep it functioning, to uncover the mechanisms which really underlie the paradoxical longevity of Malaysia's political, economic and social system.

Analyses discourses pertinent to democratic politics in Malaysia, including the political elite's interpretation of 'Asian values' and 'Asian democracy', contending Islamic views on democracy, the impact of developmentalism on political culture, and the recovery of women's voice in everyday politics.

The Malaysian political system incorporates a mix of democratic and authoritarian characteristics. In this comprehensive account, Harold Crouch argues that, while they may appear contradictory, the responsive and the repressive features of the system combine in an integrated and coherent whole. Consistently dominated by the Malay party UMNO, which represents the largest ethnic group, the Malaysian government requires the support of its Chinese, Indian, and East Malaysian minorities to retain control. The need to appeal to a politically and ethnically divided electorate restrains the arbitrary exercise of power by the ruling coalition. As a result, the government responds to popular aspirations, particularly since a split in the dominant Malay party in the 1980s. Yet it also controls the electoral process, ensuring victory in all national elections. Communal, social, and economic factors have all contributed in rather ambiguous ways to shaping the Malaysian political system. Communal tensions, change in the class structure, and the consequences of economic growth have generated pressures in both democratic and authoritarian directions. The government has been remarkably stable despite sharp ethnic divisions and, Crouch suggests, it is unlikely to move swiftly toward full democracy in the near future.

"A welcome addition to existing works on public policy and administration in Malaysia, given the scarcity of the existing literature. The issues discussed are backed by empirical findings carried out by the authors. Application of institutional analysis with many cases and empirical findings."--

This book uses the concepts of rent and rent-seeking to study Malaysian political economy.