The ruling coalition in Malaysia has suffered a major election setback by winning with only a simple parliamentary majority, say election officials.
The ruling coalition in Malaysia has suffered a major election setback by winning only a simple parliamentary majority, say election officials.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's National Front coalition had been expected to win, but it has lost control of at least three states.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's National Front coalition had been expected to win, but it has lost control of at least three states.
The Election Commission said the coalition had so far won 112 of the 165 seats in the 222-member parliament.
The Election Commission said the coalition had so far won 112 of the 165 seats in the 222-member parliament.
Analysts blame ethnic tensions, crime,
Analysts blame ethnic tensions, crime, and inflation for a drop in popularity.
and inflation for a drop in popularity.
Before the elections, the coalition held a two thirds majority in parliament and only one state was under opposition control, Kelantan.
Before the elections, the coalition held a two thirds majority in parliament and only one state was under opposition control, Kelantan.
The Election Commission confirmed opposition wins in the states of Kedah, Penang and Kelantan, but other results were still being counted.
The Election Commission confirmed opposition wins in the states of Kedah, Penang and Kelantan, but other results were still being counted.
Former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who leads the opposition Justice Party, claimed earlier that opposition parties were on course to win five of the 13 states.
Former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who leads the opposition Justice Party, claimed earlier that opposition parties were on course to win five of the 13 states.
Ethnic minorities
Ethnic minorities
The head of Mr Badawi's party in Kelantan, Annuar Musa, conceded the party was not doing well "not just in Kelantan but across the country".
The head of Mr Badawi's party in Kelantan, Annuar Musa, conceded the party was not doing well "not just in Kelantan but across the country".
Voters are concerned about price rises and ethnic tensions
Voters are concerned about price rises and ethnic tensions
Growing tensions between minority communities and the Malay majority have dominated the election campaign and correspondents say ethnic Indian and Chinese voters have deserted the government in large numbers.
Growing tensions between minority communities and the Malay majority have dominated the election campaign and correspondents say ethnic Indian and Chinese voters have deserted the government in large numbers.
Mr Badawi said before voting began that he did not want a government "made up of only one race" after polls indicated his Chinese and Indian coalition allies might fare badly. Ethnic minorities make up more than a third of the population.
Mr Badawi said before voting began that he did not want a government "made up of only one race" after polls indicated his Chinese and Indian coalition allies might fare badly. Ethnic minorities make up more than a third of the population.
Many complain that government policy has denied them fair access to jobs, education, and housing.
Many complain that government policy has denied them fair access to jobs, education, and housing.
Mr Ibrahim has accused the government of widespread vote-rigging. But an election observer in at least one area said there had been no major irregularities there.
Mr Ibrahim has accused the government of widespread vote-rigging. But an election observer in at least one area said there had been no major irregularities there.
Clashes
Clashes
Some violence linked to the election was reported in the east of the country on Saturday.
Some violence linked to the election was reported in the east of the country on Saturday.
Police in Terennganu State said they had fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of several hundred people protesting at what they saw as vote-rigging.
Police in Terennganu State said they had fired tear gas to disperse a crowd of several hundred people protesting at what they saw as vote-rigging.
Supporters of the opposition PAS stopped buses they suspected of carrying National Front coalition supporters pretending to be voters from the district, said local police chief Ayob Yaacob.
Supporters of the opposition PAS stopped buses they suspected of carrying National Front coalition supporters pretending to be voters from the district, said local police chief Ayob Yaacob.
He said 22 people were arrested and the rest of the crowd ran away.
He said 22 people were arrested and the rest of the crowd ran away.
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