From Barisan to Pakatan: The changing dynamics of Kuala Lumpur general elections 1955-2013

Development and democratic political processes in Kuala Lumpur had started as early as 1952 when the third Municipal Election was held. This was followed by Federal Legislative Election 1955 in the wake of the British government s initiative to open up opportunities for Malaya’s local leaders to forge towards self-government. In geopolitical terms the vital importance of Kuala Lumpur is self evident for any political parties especially the ruling party as it is an electoral ‘powerhouse’ in which is located the iconic Malaysian Parliament and the headquarters of other executive and judicial branches of the Federal government. Until the mid-1960s, Kuala Lumpur had been the stronghold of socialist opposition parties but the subsequent ascendance of race-based mainstream politics has witnessed the rise of non-Malay-based opposition parties such as the DAP and Gerakan. The electoral performance of the ruling Alliance (now BN) has waxed and waned during the course of the thirteen GEs. It won all the two parliamentary seats in 1955, one of five in 1959, three of five in 1964, one of eleven in 2008 and two of eleven in 2013. It lost all five seats in 1969, two of five in 1974, 1978 and 1982 respectively, three of seven in 1986 and 1990 respectively, six of ten in 1995 and 1999 respectively, seven of eleven in 2004, ten of eleven in 2008 and 9 of 11 in 2013, thus reflecting the radically changing dynamics of five decades of Kuala Lumpur electoral politics.