2018 Sheraton Move

2018 Sheraton Move
Name	2018 Sheraton Move
Date	February 2018 – May 2018 (key events February–May 2020)
Location	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Result	Collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration; formation of the Perikatan Nasional-led government under Muhyiddin Yassin

2018 Sheraton Move

The 2018 Sheraton Move refers to the political realignment and leadership changes in Malaysia culminating in May 2020 that led to the collapse of the incumbent reformist coalition and the installation of a new parliamentary majority. The episode involved defections, inter-party negotiations, courtroom challenges, and palace interventions, and it reshaped alignments among Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, Malaysian United Indigenous Party, United Malays National Organisation, and other major political entities. Key actors included Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Ibrahim, Muhyiddin Yassin, Azmin Ali, Muhammad bin Abdullah?.

Background

The lead-up connected to the aftermath of the 14th Malaysian general election, 2018 where Pakatan Harapan unexpectedly unseated the long-ruling Barisan Nasional, dislodging Barisan Nasional stalwarts such as Najib Razak and prompting legal proceedings including charges against former ministers. Internal tensions developed between Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu) founders like Muhyiddin Yassin and reformist leaders in Pakatan Harapan such as Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim. The configuration also intersected with regional power centres like Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak state politics, and with institutional actors such as the Istana Negara and the Federal Court of Malaysia.

Events of the Sheraton Move

In late February and March 2020 parliamentary maneuvers intensified after high-profile meetings at venues including the Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel and private residences, where representatives from Bersatu, United Malays National Organisation, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, and several Members of Parliament discussed alternative coalitions. Publicly reported gatherings involved figures from Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Sarawak Parties Alliance members such as Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and defectors from People's Justice Party (PKR) aligned with Azmin Ali. Media coverage by outlets from The Star (Malaysia), New Straits Times, and Malaysiakini documented shifting loyalties and statements by parliamentary speakers including Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and acting officials tied to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Negotiations reportedly included discussions with former Prime Ministers and royal envoys at the Istana Negara.

Political Actors and Alliances

Principal actors included Muhyiddin Yassin of Bersatu, who claimed majority support alongside leaders from Barisan Nasional like Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and from PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang. Within Pakatan Harapan, tensions between Mahathir Mohamad and PKR figures such as Azmin Ali and Nurul Izzah Anwar precipitated factional splits. Other notable figures included Lim Guan Eng, Wong Chen, Anwar Ibrahim as the designated successor, and state leaders like Shafie Apdal of Sabah Heritage Party (WARISAN). The reconfigured alliance later styled itself as Perikatan Nasional, incorporating elements from Sarawak United People's Party and other regional parties.

Legal and Constitutional Crisis

The abrupt change provoked constitutional questions involving the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the discretion of the Prime Minister of Malaysia appointment, the scope of parliamentary confidence votes, and whether MPs’ party memberships affected majority counts. Legal challenges reached the Federal Court of Malaysia and High Courts over issues including floor-crossing, anti-defection norms, and the validity of resignations versus withdrawals of support. Emergent disputes implicated the Attorney General of Malaysia and the Election Commission of Malaysia concerning timelines for a potential confidence motion and the applicability of state assembly anti-hopping laws in Kelantan, Perak, and Sabah.

Aftermath and Government Formation

Following rounds of royal consultations at the Istana Negara, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong appointed Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister in late February 2020, citing a purported majority. The new cabinet incorporated figures from Barisan Nasional and PAS, and sidelined several Pakatan Harapan leaders including Mahathir Mohamad, who briefly served as interim leader during the transition. Subsequent attempts by Anwar Ibrahim to claim majority support culminated in competing claims in Parliament and lawsuits challenging the legitimacy of the appointment process. State-level outcomes saw realignments in Johor, Perak, and Sabah resulting in changes of chief ministers and state administrations.

Impact on Malaysian Politics

The episode accelerated fragmentation within traditional party structures, intensified debates over anti-defection legislation, and altered trajectories for leaders such as Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir Mohamad, and Muhyiddin Yassin. It affected public trust measured in opinion polling by organizations like Merdekaresearch and electoral strategist groups, and reshaped coalition strategies ahead of later elections. The realignment also influenced intra-regional relations among parties from Sabah and Sarawak and spurred legislative proposals in the Dewan Rakyat addressing party-hopping and parliamentary procedure.

International and Economic Reactions

Internationally, diplomatic capitals including Washington, D.C., Beijing, Tokyo, and London issued cautious statements monitoring stability in Malaysia given its strategic role in Southeast Asia and membership in associations like Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Financial markets reacted with volatility in the Malaysian ringgit and stock movements on Bursa Malaysia, while international investors and rating agencies such as Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's monitored policy continuity, fiscal stability, and foreign direct investment flows. Regional commentaries in outlets such as The Straits Times and Channel NewsAsia analyzed implications for bilateral ties with China and United States engagement in the region.

Category:2020 in Malaysia