Like Pakistan, Malaysia is also in election year, with elections to be held on May 9. Economically and technology wise, Malaysia is one of the leading Muslim countries of the world, while Pakistan is the only nuclear power among Muslim countries. In both countries, foreign players influence the political process to some extent by funding and supporting certain political groups. In Pakistan, with the exception of a few parties, the opposition is divided into several medium-sized and small parties, while in Malaysia the opposition has been brought under a single banner by ex-prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was unceremoniously and suspiciously removed from his post.
It is interesting to note the difference between election campaigns in both countries. In Malaysia, political parties hold conventions and dinners to get voters to listen to them, while in Pakistan political parties use rallies, that look more like cultural festivals, to address voters. Since both are strong Muslim countries, many international countries are keenly watching, and allegedly manipulating in some instances, the election process. Only time will tell whether or not they succeed in their designs.
