The ruling coalition in Malaysia has suffered a major election setback by winning only a simple parliamentary majority, say election officials.
The ruling coalition in Malaysia has suffered its worst election result in decades by winning only a simple 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 lost its two thirds parliamentary majority and control of five state assemblies.
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, and inflation for a drop in popularity.
Analysts blame ethnic tensions, crime, 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.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim hailed the result as a message that it was time for change in Malaysia.
The Election Commission confirmed opposition wins in the states of Kedah, Penang and Kelantan, but other results were still being counted.
The ruling coalition won 139 out of 220 seats, with two results still to come in, the Election Commission said.
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.
Mr Badawi, in office since 2003, said he would meet the constitutional monarch on Monday and ask to form a new government. He dismissed suggestions that he would now face pressure from party members to step down.
His son-in law, Khairy Jamaluddin, told reporters: "We suffered a lot of losses tonight. But we are going to fight on. We are not going to quit. It is not the end of the world and we are going to get through this."
'Time for change'
The BBC's Robin Brant says no one expected the opposition to do so well across the board.
This is a defining moment, unprecedented in our nation's history Anwar Ibrahim
It is clear, he adds, that people wanted change and Chinese and Indian ethnic minority voters deserted the National Front, in power for 50 years.
Before the elections only one state was under opposition control, Kelantan.
The Election Commission confirmed opposition wins in Kelantan as well as Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Penang.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who leads the opposition Justice Party, said the people of Malaysia had spoken.
"Today at the ballot box, you listened to your heart with a lot of conviction that the time for change has arrived..." he said.
"This is a defining moment, unprecedented in our nation's history. Today a new chapter has opened."
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".
Mr Ibrahim has accused the government of widespread vote-rigging.
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.
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.
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.
Growing tensions between minority communities and the Malay majority have dominated the election campaign and the government has appealed for calm.
Many complain that government policy has denied them fair access to jobs, education, and housing.
The last time the National Front suffered a big setback, in 1969, it resulted in race riots, dozens of deaths and a state of emergency.
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.
Our correspondent says there is not any sign of that sort of violence being repeated, but there is a fear of tension and anger and the next couple of days could be crucial.
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 that 22 people had been arrested and the rest of the crowd ran away.
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Are you in Malaysia? Did you vote? What are your expectations from the election? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
