Malaysia’s polls likely to end in ‘unity government’ with no coalition gaining majority

[KUALA LUMPUR] As millions of Malaysians head to the polls on Saturday (Nov 19), all eyes are on whether the long-standing Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition will make up for its electoral loss in 2018, or be defeated once more by the younger Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance.

Whichever the case, neither coalition is expected to gain a majority in this general election (GE). This means a “unity government” will have to be formed – raising the question of which other parties will be brought in.

In the snap polls, close to 950 candidates – including 108 independents – will contest 222 parliamentary seats, with three-cornered fights in over 200 of these.