Malaysians are surveying the new political landscape a day after voters delivered a blow to the country's half-century-old ruling coalition.
Malaysians are surveying the new political landscape a day after voters delivered a blow to the country's half-century-old ruling coalition.
In the parliamentary poll the National Front lost its two-thirds majority - needed to make constitutional changes - and control of four state assemblies.
In the parliamentary poll the National Front lost its two-thirds majority - needed to make constitutional changes - and control of four state assemblies.
It did, however, win a simple majority, taking 139 out of 219 seats, with three more seats yet to declare.
It did, however, win a simple majority, taking 139 out of 219 seats, with three more seats yet to declare.
Analysts blame ethnic tensions, crime and inflation for a drop in popularity.
Analysts blame ethnic tensions, crime and inflation for a drop in popularity.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is urging calm, amid fears there may be violence in the wake of the result.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is urging calm, amid fears there may be violence in the wake of the result.
Opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim hailed the result as a message that it was time for change in Malaysia.
Opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim hailed the result as a message that it was time for change in Malaysia.
This is a defining moment, unprecedented in our nation's history Anwar Ibrahim
This is a defining moment, unprecedented in our nation's history Anwar Ibrahim
Mr Anwar's Justice Party has 31 seats out of the opposition's 82 so far, making him the leader of the opposition.
Mr Anwar's Justice Party has 31 seats out of the opposition's 82 so far, making him the leader of the opposition.
Mr Abdullah, 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.
Mr Abdullah, 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."
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'
'Time for change'
The BBC's Robin Brant says no one expected the opposition to do so well across the board.
The BBC's Robin Brant says no one expected the opposition to do so well across the board.
Prime Minister Abdullah denies he faces pressure to resign
Prime Minister Abdullah denies he faces pressure to resign
It is clear, he adds, that people wanted change and Chinese and Indian ethnic minority voters deserted the National Front, in power since 1957.
It is clear, he adds, that people wanted change and Chinese and Indian ethnic minority voters deserted the National Front, in power since 1957.
Before the elections only one state was under opposition control, Kelantan.
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.
The Election Commission confirmed opposition wins in Kelantan as well as Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Penang.
Mr Anwar said the people of Malaysia had spoken.
Mr Anwar 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.
"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."
"This is a defining moment, unprecedented in our nation's history. Today a new chapter has opened."
Ethnic minorities
Ethnic minorities
Mr Anwar has accused the government of widespread vote-rigging.
Mr Anwar 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
Our correspondent says there are many people who have as many suspicions about Mr Anwar as about the National Front's leaders. But, he adds, the claim that Malaysia has free and fair elections is not a just one.
Our correspondent says there are many people who have as many suspicions about Mr Anwar as about the National Front's leaders. But, he adds, the claim that Malaysia has free and fair elections is not a just one.
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.
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.
Growing tensions between minority communities and the Malay majority have dominated the election campaign and the government has appealed for calm.
Growing tensions between minority communities and the Malay majority have dominated the election campaign and the government has appealed for calm.
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.
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.
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 that 22 people had been 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.
Are you in Malaysia? Did you vote? How do you see the political situation developing now? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
Are you in Malaysia? Did you vote? How do you see the political situation developing now? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
Your comments:
Your comments:
Today's voting was my first time ever. I have always wanted to vote for a more Islamic government that secures right of citizens to strengthen the family institution and to be safeguarded from corruption, nepotism and a single-ethnic monopoly in both the civil service and small industries. Politics in Malaysia is broadly determined by group-survival sentiments as my Muslim Malay and non-Muslim non-Malay friends have great reservation about giving their votes to opposition party of the other race/religionMuhammad, Shah Alam, Selangor
I am a Johorian student, studying journalism in the U.S. Regarding this issue, no doubt, Malaysia is a sinking ship. When all other SEA countries are developing faster and so much ahead of Malaysia in this era of Asian economic dynamism and globalization, Malaysia is heading to the place of no-where. It hurts to see our country being like this. Rebin, Kluang, Johor
To believe that racial harmony is possible in a country that has one set of rules for the majority and a different set for the minority is ridiculous. Why should I vote for a government that treats me not as a citizen of equal right but as a guest who simply enjoys the goodwill of his hosts? Hari, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I believe that voters in Malaysia has to be able to discuss the issues and views of Islam and how it affects all their lives. We need to be able to leap beyond anger, and strive for a win-win-win-win situation if not a reasonable compromise. After all, that is the principle our country is founded upon. Ken, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am currently a mature law student at a university in the United Kingdom. Having lived in a Malaysia since a child I do not believe that the Malaysian people, including the Muslims on the whole are just focused on Islamic issues. Everyday working class people are more interested in petrol prices, national budget and the economy. As for the issues pertaining to ethnic Indian minorities, I believe change can only happen for the better if the current Indian representative for the National Front is replaced. Ashwin Kumar, Sheffield, United Kingdom
It must be both ignorant and arrogant on the current government administrator to feel as if the voters will be behind them. They have betrayed us by abusing the mandate Malaysians have given them for the past half-century. Malaysia, being the world's palm oil exporter and a net oil exporter, should well be on par or exceed the economic performances of Taiwan or South Korea. Hamiraj Fahry Abdul Hamid, Shah Alam, Malaysia
I'm on holiday in Malaysia at the moment. I'm from the UK. I've been walking around town today and I've never before seen so much hype about politics. There are banners everywhere. Haven't experienced the separate queuing system for women yet. But whenever my girlfriend and I are shopping the locals always talk to me and don't even acknowledge my girlfriend. Apart from that the people are nice but perhaps a little serious. I wish this country well.Alex Morse, Kota Bahru Malaysia
Its a shame to see what happening here and they say to all the world that they are a showcase for living together. It's really coming to the point where its just a Big Lie to the world and a shame for this lovely country a westerner, malaysia
