Malayan general election, 1959
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in Malaya
on 19 August 1959, the first since independence from the United Kingdom
in 1957. It was the third national-wide election held in Malaya since the end of World War II
. Malaya later formed Malaysia with three other states in 1963. Voter turnout was 73.3%.
In the election, the Alliance Party
- later Barisan Nasional
- emerged as the victor. The party was a coalition formed by United Malays National Organisation
, Malayan Chinese Association and Malayan Indian Congress. The coalition won 74 out of 104 seats in the Dewan Rakyat
with only 51.7% of total votes. The opposition as a whole garnered 30 seats with 48.3% of total votes.
The 71.1% majority allowed Alliance Party to form a government as sanctioned by the Constitution of Malaya
.
When results were announced on the morning of 20 August, only 103 seats were returned as elections in the Kedah Tengah (Central Kedah
) constituency was delayed until 30 September. The Alliance proceeded to win this seat with Khir Johari
as the winning candidate.
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
on 19 August 1959, the first since independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1957. It was the third national-wide election held in Malaya since the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Malaya later formed Malaysia with three other states in 1963. Voter turnout was 73.3%.
In the election, the Alliance Party
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
- later Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
- emerged as the victor. The party was a coalition formed by United Malays National Organisation
United Malays National Organisation
The United Malays National Organisation, is Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence....
, Malayan Chinese Association and Malayan Indian Congress. The coalition won 74 out of 104 seats in the Dewan Rakyat
Dewan Rakyat
The Dewan Rakyat is the lower house of the Parliament of Malaysia. All bills must usually be passed by both the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara , before they are given Royal Assent by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong...
with only 51.7% of total votes. The opposition as a whole garnered 30 seats with 48.3% of total votes.
The 71.1% majority allowed Alliance Party to form a government as sanctioned by the Constitution of Malaya
Constitution of Malaysia
The Federal Constitution of Malaysia, which came into force in 1957, is the supreme law of Malaysia. The Federation was initially called the Federation of Malaya and it adopted its present name, Malaysia, when the States of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined the Federation...
.
When results were announced on the morning of 20 August, only 103 seats were returned as elections in the Kedah Tengah (Central Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
) constituency was delayed until 30 September. The Alliance proceeded to win this seat with Khir Johari
Khir Johari
Tan Sri Mohd Khir Johari was a Malaysian politician and the former Malaysian Minister of Education.Born on January 29, 1923, in Alor Star, Kedah, Mohd Khir was a Member of Parliament from 1955 to 1982...
as the winning candidate.
Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance Party | 800,944 | 51.8 | 74 | |
| Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party | 329,070 | 21.3 | 13 | |
| Malayan People's Socialist Front | 199,688 | 12.9 | 8 | New |
| People's Progressive Party People's Progressive Party (Malaysia) The People's Progressive Party is a political party in Malaysia.The party is one of the constituent members of the ruling National Front and is a multiracial party.-History:... |
97,391 | 6.3 | 4 | |
| Parti Negara Parti Negara Parti Negara was a Malay-based political party which was formed by former leaders of the Independence of Malaya Party in 1953, and formally launched in February 1954... |
32,578 | 2.1 | 1 | |
| Malayan Party | 13,404 | 0.9 | 1 | New |
| Independents | 74,194 | 4.8 | 3 | |
| Invalid/blank votes | 17,306 | |||
| Total | 1,564,575 | 100 | 104 | +52 |
| Source: Nohlen et al | ||||
External links
- Documentary video about the 1959 elections Government of Malaysia (in Malay)