Based on the author’s continuous observation, fieldwork, and oral interviews
carried out in the Southern part of Johor, Malaysia, the article highlights how local
socio-economic issues-including public safety and the impact of Singapore on
the economy and society of Southern Johor-have gradually become the main
electoral focal points during the 12th, 13th and 14th Malaysian general elections
(GE12, GE13, GE14) held from 2008 to 2018. The article also investigates how
access to the Internet has become universal in Southern Johor since the beginning
of the 21st century. Online platforms gradually replaced traditional media as critical
platforms during elections, thereby changing the way campaigns were run. The longterm impacts of these two factors-local issues and the Internet-have ultimately
contributed to the first regime change in Malaysian history in 2018.
Lastly, the article argues that Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) victory did not solely rest on
the cooperation of political party elites; the role of local issues and the impact of
online platforms were also indispensable. A proposed hypothesis states that these
structural changes (local socio-economic issues and the Internet factor) at lower
levels have led to power transition at the top level (politics). This hypothesis does not
only apply in Southern Johor, Malaysia, but also in other places such as Taiwan.
