Written by YAM Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, Founding President of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS).

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Elections in Canada, Australia and Singapore highlight key political trends and leadership lessons relevant to our nation’s own evolving landscape.

It’s been exciting watching recent elections and noticing trends and impacts that may be relevant for us in Malaysia. The Canadian federal election in April will serve as a prime example of a poorly executed campaign.

Since mid-2022, the opposition Conservatives and their leader, Pierre Poilievre, were far ahead in the polls, focusing on issues relating to the economy. Internal divisions adversely affected the governing Liberals, contributing to the resignation of the once-popular Justin Trudeau.

However, the situation rapidly and significantly changed when newly inaugurated US President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric to annex Canada as the US’ 51st state. Poilievre did not modify his tactics, allowing the new Liberal leader, Mark Carney—not a flashy populist, but an experienced central banker—to present himself as a better defender of Canadian interests.

Unlike Malaysia or the United Kingdom, the Canadian constitution allows a non-member of parliament to be prime minister, and so he was able to spend weeks in the top job differentiating himself from both his predecessor and an alternative successor.

In the end, the Liberals won 170 out of 373 seats with 43.8% of the popular vote. King Charles III will be delivering the speech from the throne to open the Canadian parliament on May 27, the first time that the monarch of Canada will be doing so in person since 1977.

The Australian federal election in May saw another upset compared to polling. The Labor Party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, was anticipated to secure only a modest majority.

However, they achieved a resounding victory in a campaign that also witnessed a backlash against Trump, with opposition leader Peter Dutton perceived as steering his party further to the right. Labor won 77 out of 150 seats with 34.6% of the primary vote (Australia uses a preferential voting system in which voters rank candidates, with voting being compulsory).

The Singapore parliamentary elections also took place. While the outcome was not as unexpected as in the other two Commonwealth countries, the governing People’s Action Party, led by new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, was nonetheless relieved with their strong mandate, securing 87 out of 97 seats with 65.6% of the popular vote.

All three countries are, undoubtedly, strong partners of both the Malaysian government and its civil society, including the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS). We anticipate collaborating with the High Commissions to enhance these relationships.

Malaysian citizens are not permitted to vote in any of these countries’ elections, as is usually the case around the world (with the notable exception of the United Kingdom, which still allows citizens of Commonwealth countries to vote in their parliamentary and other elections).

However, one Malaysian did get to vote for a foreign head of state: Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis, the Bishop of Penang, who was made a Cardinal in the Catholic Church by Pope Francis.

He is the second Malaysian to hold that title, yet he is the first to have the opportunity to vote (and potentially be a candidate) in a conclave. Of the total 251 cardinals, 134 were eligible to vote, as they were under the age of 80.

In the meantime, many Malaysians are keenly anticipating the ongoing elections for Parti Keadilan Rakyat, where senior leadership positions are set to be contested on May 23. I hope that the outcome does not adversely affect the overall stability of the country, as we have witnessed dramatic shifts in our political landscape in the past.

It was not on May 4th that I was appointed as Chancellor—although I did make a light-hearted reference to the Galactic Republic while addressing the fresh graduates of UCSI University.

Regrettably, I find myself increasingly perplexed by Gen Z slang and hand gestures.

Nevertheless, I was thankful for their congratulatory messages and the delightful video commemorating my time at the university since I assumed the role of Pro-Chancellor in 2020. While the role is mostly ceremonial, I am glad to be able to witness and help develop the hugely diverse potential of the university.

Within and across countries and institutions, it is intriguing to observe the distribution of power, legitimacy and authority, as well as the choices individuals make in exercising these elements.

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This article was featured in The Star

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of IDEAS Malaysia. All opinions are the author’s own.