Police 3 May announced arrests of four men and two women with Islamic State (ISIS) links in Kelantan, Pahang, Malacca, Johor and Penang; two other men also detained, suspected of smuggling arms from southern Thailand; six men suspected of ISIS links arrested in four states 23-26 May. Authorities 9 May confirmed Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jadi, Malaysia’s most-wanted ISIS member who claimed June 2016 bombing in Kuala Lumpur, killed in Syria in drone attack. Media 25 May reported two Malaysians were among thirteen ISIS militants killed in Marawi City in late May gunfights between Philippine military and ISIS-linked Maute Group (see Philippines).

13th general elections 5 May ended with narrow win by ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition in terms of parliamentary seats (133 out of 222), but with worst result for BN in 44 years as Anwar Ibrahim-led opposition coalition Pakatan won popular vote. Opposition 8 May began series of rallies to protest electoral fraud, first attended by almost 100,000. Police 23 May began crackdown of prominent opposition politicians under Sedition Act.

Allegations from both ruling Barisan Nasional and opposition of political violence by other side as 5 May election approaches. As violence in Sabah subsided, 19 Filipinos being tried there for crimes ranging from waging war against king to joining terrorist group; over 100 being held under Security Offences Act which permits authorities to hold suspects for 28 days without charge.

Standoff in Sabah between supporters of Jamalul Kiram III, descendant of sultan of Sulu, who arrived from Philippines in Feb, and Malaysian security forces turned violent. 12 members of Sultan’s “army” and 2 Malaysian police killed in clash 1 March; 6 Malaysian police, 6 Filipinos killed next day. Malaysia responded forcefully with aerial, mortar assault 5 March; survivors of Sultan’s army dispersed into wider area, sporadic firefights with military ongoing. Over 60 followers of Sultan, ten members of security forces, reported killed over month; over 400 detained, 8 charged with terrorism. Sultan’s supporters and insurgent MNLF reportedly trying to send reinforcements; Malaysia established new safety zone and relocated residents in affected area. Over 5,000 people of Filipino origin fled Sabah for southern Philippines; Manila criticised Kuala Lumpur for allegedly abusing detainees and evacuees fleeing area. UNSG Ban appealed for end to fighting. Journalists and others demanding access to site.

PM Razak, criticised for harsh police actions against opposition street protesters in July, 15 Sept pledged to abolish Internal Security Act used to detain suspected militants and state dissidents without trial; also said strict media laws to be relaxed.

PM Razak 17 Aug proposed bipartisan parliamentary committee on electoral reform, following violent July crackdown on opposition protests demanding reform.

In largest demonstration in years, more than 10,000 protested against govt in Kuala Lumpur 9 July; some 1,400 briefly detained as protesters clashed with police; rights groups criticised heavy-handed police response. Protests organised by local coalition of NGOs demanding more transparency in election process.

Surprise victory in 11 December Aceh gubernatorial elections for GAM leader Irwandi Yusuf, with 38% of vote. President Yudhoyono and other Jakarta officials accepted results. Constitutional Court struck down 2004 law on establishing Truth and Reconciliation Commission, criticised by victims groups and rights advocates for amnesty provisions and tying reparations to victims’ formal exoneration of perpetrators. Supreme Court overturned terrorism conviction of Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, former amir of Jemaah Islamiyah, 21 December after flimsy evidence presented by prosecutor. Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels suspected in killing of 2 officers near Mulia 8 December.