“We are not Apolitical; We are Nonpartisan...”: Why do environmental Campaigns become Politicised in Malaysia?

• In Event: Bridging Region and Discipline: Social Movement Studies and Southeast Asia I

Abstract

When and why do ostensibly apolitical protests in Malaysia easily slip, or escalate into anti-government expressions? Based on an original study of environmental contention, this paper argues that, the answer lies in the relationship between political opposition parties and grassroots activists. Contrary to popular perceptions of opposition parties being marginal in electoral authoritarian regimes, they are relatively powerful and resourceful in Malaysia. Due to resource deficits and the institutional context, environmentalists’ initial resistance often gives way to a natural alliance with opposition parties. Bordering on dependence under certain circumstances, this relationship can turn nonpolitical environmental movements to appear and behave overtly political. Drawing on resource mobilisation (RM) theory, this paper bridges the elite-centred paradigm in Southeast Asian politics with social movement studies. However, rather than appearing passive, as they often do under the elite-centred approach, environmental protesters continuously negotiate their relationship with opposition politicians, rendering it as contentious as the movement itself. This paper also suggests that, the RM perspective serves as a promising approach, with which to analyse movement forms and behaviours in other nondemocratic contexts.

Author

• Wei Lit Yew, City University of Hong Kong