Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) invites interested individuals, firms or research teams to submit short technical and financial proposals to conduct qualitative research on the cost of politics in Malaysia, with a particular focus on the challenges and impacts it poses for youth and women's political participation and engagement.

Interested parties are requested to submit their proposal – to comprise a short technical proposal (max 5 pages), a budget, a sample of previous work and the CVs of research team members – by 26 May 2025.

The cost of politics

To hold nationwide elections and sustain political campaigns, both key elements of any democracy, requires resources. Increasingly important, money may not guarantee electoral success, but it is rare that it comes to those with limited funds. How that money is raised and spent, as well as who receives it and how are important but under-researched questions.

The “cost of politics” approach focuses on the spending of individuals contesting for political office rather than those of political parties. It is broad in its scope, aiming to cover expenditure incurred across the election cycle: following the money spent, from the candidates decision to stand for political office at the party primary phase, to the end of an individual's elected tenure.

The approach attempts to better understand what factors drive individual choices when it comes to spending funds on politics. In doing so it can help explain why there is a divergence between stated rules and regulations and their implementation or lack thereof and provide a clearer indication of the obstacles to regulating and curbing, or better monitoring, spending on political campaigns.

The “cost of politics” has escalated with the greater political competition offered by multi-party democratic systems. Demands, from constituents, political parties and other stakeholders on legislators to deliver personalised goods during the election cycle contributes to the erosion of vertical accountability - citizens role in holding their leaders to account - and horizontal accountability – internal checks and oversight processes. This, along with issues of increased corruption, exclusion and disillusionment are some of the implications that existing studies conducted in Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America have uncovered. For more, see the cost of politics website.

Study objectives

This qualitative study will gather data on the drivers, indicative costs and implications of seeking and holding political office (via general, state, and/or party elections) in Malaysia, with a contemporary focus i.e. state of play in 2025.

It is envisaged that the briefing paper will be used to deepen the understanding of electoral incentives; stimulate national dialogue; inform legal and policy advocacy, particularly electoral reform processes; and improve democratic processes, particularly for youth and women, ahead of future polls.

To ensure comparability with similar WFD studies conducted in other countries, while also building on and adding value to existing Malaysian research, this study is guided by the following key questions:

1. What are the key social, economic, and political factors influencing the cost of pursuing political office in Malaysia—whether at the executive or legislative level, and across parliamentary, state assembly, or party elections? Why? How do these factors vary by context (e.g., urban vs. rural, federal vs. state) and how have they changed over time?
2. What are the typical categories and magnitude of costs borne by electoral aspirants? How do these costs vary based on party affiliation, incumbency status, demographic background (e.g., gender, age, disability), and geographic location?
3. In what ways do the cost structures of political participation act as barriers or enablers for marginalised and underrepresented groups, particularly youth, women, and persons with disabilities? Why? Where applicable, how have certain individuals/groups/parties navigated or overcome these barriers?
4. How does the increasing cost of politics affect governance, political accountability, and broader socio-economic development outcomes in Malaysia, including potential distortions in policymaking, rent-seeking behaviour, or public trust?
5. What legal, institutional, or programmatic reforms could most effectively reduce or regulate the cost of politics in Malaysia, and why have some approaches gained more traction than others? What policy options exist, what levels of political and public buy-in do they currently enjoy, and how might support for these reforms be broadened or strengthened?

Suggested methodology, timeframes, and deliverables

The research should be conducted using a combination of desk-based research or relevant literature and reports, alongside predominantly qualitative key informant interviews and participatory focus group discussions with critical stakeholders, including political aspirants, academics, civil society/media representatives and other relevant stakeholders. Other tools and methods can be proposed. WFD is particularly interested to hear from, and reflect, the experiences of women, youth and persons with disability in this study. We expect the research to be undertaken within three months and the launch event to be organised in September 2025.

Deliverables for this study are:

1. An 8,000-10,000-word briefing paper summarising the finding
2. A launch event/roundtable discussion where the findings will be presented and discussed and offer support and guidance to WFD in its follow-up engagements and outreach. The costs for this should be included in the proposed budget.
3. Documentation materials generated throughout the research process, including photos, field notes, and outputs such as stakeholder maps, detailed listings or visual representations of the costs associated with running for office—gathered through interviews, focus group discussions, or participatory workshops.

Funding

Financial support for the study will be provided by WFD. The individual or research team is asked to submit a financial proposal (inclusive of all costs) in response to these terms of reference of between EUR 7,500-10,000.

Skills and qualifications

The individual/research team/firm should have experience conducting similar studies and the following qualifications and skills:

• The lead researcher should hold a postgraduate or advanced university degree in political science, public policy, or another relevant domain. Previous management of a research team is highly preferred.
• One member should have experience of conducting qualitative interviews with political stakeholders.
• One member should have experience leading focus group discussions with political stakeholders.
• Conceptual and practical knowledge of politics and electoral democracy.
• Strong writing and analytical skills in English
• Familiarity with the topic area and the ability to synthesize existing research while offering innovative contributions whether through new angles, research approaches, varieties of stakeholders, presentation formats, or narrative approaches.

Application procedure

Qualified and interested applicants are hereby requested to send their bids to WFD’s Cost of Politics Manager, Jamie Hitchen (j.c.hitchen@gmail.com) and copy WFD Country Director, Ooi Kok Hin (ooi.kokhin@wfd.org) by 26 May 2025 using the subject heading “EOI Malaysia Cost of Politics Study”. 

Any queries can also be directed to these email addresses.

The application should contain the following:

• A technical proposal: To include a concise summary of the applicant’s qualifications and experience, a clear outline and methodology that demonstrates how the research will be undertaken and how it will build on existing work done in Malaysia. Preference will be given to proposals that adopt participatory methods and offer innovative contributions beyond current studies.
• A financial proposal: This should indicate the all-inclusive fixed total contract price and be supported by a brief breakdown of costs by activities.
• Evidence of competence: CVs of key team members and one example of a recent or relevant research study which the team/individual team members have undertaken. The researcher should demonstrate familiarity with local research on the cost of politics or political financing and reflect a solid grasp of existing literature by Malaysian organisations and researchers.

Bids will be assessed and scored against the following criteria: relevant experience (25%), methodological approach (35%), qualifications of research team (20%) and value for money (20%).