2018

The 2018 Malaysian general election, held on 9 May 2018, ended over six decades of Barisan Nasional rule, with Pakatan Harapan securing a historic victory and forming the new government under Mahathir Mohamad.

On 10 May 2018, Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in as Malaysia's seventh Prime Minister, marking a stunning political upset that ended 61 years of Barisan Nasional rule following the general election the previous day.

On 16 May 2018, Anwar Ibrahim was granted a full royal pardon and released from Sungai Buloh Prison, six days after the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition's historic victory in Malaysia's general election, ending the Barisan Nasional's 61-year rule and symbolizing a triumph for democratic reforms.

The formation of the Council of Eminent Persons in 2018 by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad served as a key advisory body for economic and institutional reforms in the wake of Pakatan Harapan's victory in the Malaysian general election, marking a significant step in the country's post-election transition.

The abolition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Malaysia in 2018 fulfilled a key electoral promise of the Pakatan Harapan government, replacing the broad-based 6% consumption tax with the narrower Sales and Service Tax (SST) to ease the burden on consumers after widespread public discontent.

The reintroduction of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) in Malaysia on 1 September 2018 replaced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), fulfilling an election promise by the new Pakatan Harapan government amid public discontent over rising living costs under the GST.

In 2018, former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak faced multiple criminal charges related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, one of the largest financial embezzlement cases globally, following his ouster in a landmark election that ended decades of ruling party dominance.

The 2018 Anti-ICERD Rally, also known as Himpunan Aman Bantah ICERD or Himpunan 812, was a large protest in Kuala Lumpur against the potential ratification of the UN's ICERD treaty, highlighting concerns over racial privileges and constitutional rights in Malaysia.

In December 2018, Malaysia filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs and its former employees for their role in the 1MDB scandal, accusing them of facilitating the embezzlement of billions from the state fund through bond issuances.

In December 2018, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad received Japan's highest civilian honor, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, from Emperor Akihito during a state visit to Tokyo, recognizing his long-standing contributions to bilateral relations and Malaysia's modernization.