'''The Opposition''' in
Malaysia is a term used to describe political parties represented in the
Parliament of Malaysia that is not in government either on its own or as part of a governing coalition. Note that this article uses the term ''government'' as it is used in Parliamentary systems, i.e. meaning the ''administration'' or the ''cabinet'' rather than the ''state''.
The title ''Official Opposition,'' used in most of the other member nations of the
Commonwealth to designate the political party securing the largest number of seats in the Lower House of parliament (Dewan Rakyat), and which is not in government, is rarely used in Malaysia. It is the common practice to refer to the Opposition simply as ''The Opposition'', or by the party name.
Theoretically, it is seen as the alternative government and prepared to assume office should the incumbent government resign. Due to the domination of the
Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor, the Alliance) coalition of the parliament since independence, this perception is generally not acknowledged and recognised.
By convention, the
Opposition Leader comes from the political party that secures the largest number of seats in the ''Dewan Rakyat'', and which is not in government.
The present Opposition Leader is
Lim Kit Siang of the
Democratic Action Party (DAP).
The present political parties which are considered ''The Opposition'' in parliament are the
Democratic Action Party (DAP), the
Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) and the
People's Justice Party (PKR). There are also five non party representatives known as ''Independents'' of which one is considered aligned to the Opposition.
See also
★
Parliamentary opposition
★
Loyal opposition
★
List of political parties in Malaysia