Legal experts colluding with the political and economic elites in justifying corruption: the case of Malaysia's Madani government

This paper examines the increasing centralization of power by Malaysia's 'reformist' government through the co-optation of civil society organizations (CSOs). It argues that Anwar Ibrahim's transition from opposition leader to Prime Minister has muted civil society actors, diminishing their autonomy. A comparative analysis of Anwar's and Najib Razak's socio-economic strategies reveals limitations in Anwar's wealth redistribution efforts. The paper criticizes the failure to hold corrupt politicians accountable, exacerbated by the involvement of lawyers representing politicians across party lines. Drawing on Gramscian theory, it posits that legal professionals should be incorporated into the concept of the 'integral state' due to their ability to manipulate laws. This expands the framework for understanding power consolidation in Malaysian politics.

Kevin Fernandez