After independence Malaysia and Singapore had authoritarian governments in which
political parties and civil society were tightly controlled. In Malaysia, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) dominated the political scene and implemented policies that favored Malays, the majority ethnic group. In Singapore, the People's Action Party (PAP) led by Lee Kuan Yew established a centralized government and limited civil liberties in order to maintain stability and promote economic growth.
Over time, Malaysia and Singapore have gradually liberalized their political systems, although each country has taken different paths. Malaysia has moved towards a more democratic system with the establishment of a two-party system and greater civil liberties, although the role of the monarchy and the influence of UMNO continue to be a source of controversy. Singapore has continued to be dominated by the PAP, but has seen some loosening of controls on the media and civil society, as well as the emergence of alternative political parties. However, criticism of the government is still limited, and the PAP maintains a firm grip on power.