Illusions of Democracy: Malaysian Politics and People, Volume II , edited by Sophie Lemière.

Abstract

Illusions of Democracy is a volume that aims to help the reader see beyond the mere façade of democracy in Malaysia. As its title suggests, this edited book is meant to unpack the public policies and practices of the powers-that-be that are considered undemocratic and public institutions deemed compromised by its writers. As argued in the Introduction chapter, while Malaysia has all the three elements of elections, civil society and institutions, it "is rarely called a democracy, but an illiberal democracy, young democracy or competitive or electoral authoritarian state" (p. xii). Furthermore, the writer adds, freedom of expression, which is one of the pillars of democracy, is curbed. In other words, democracy in the country is perceived to be contentious