Malaysia's Ruling Coalition Wins 13th Straight Vote

Malaysia's long-governing coalition has won national elections to extend its 56 years of unbroken rule, fending off the strongest opposition it has ever faced. The Election Commission reported that Prime Minister Najib Razak's National Front coalition captured 112 of Malaysia's 222 parliamentary seats to win a simple majority today. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's three-party alliance seized 57 seats. Other races were too close to call.

It was the National Front's 13th consecutive victory in general elections since independence from Britain in 1957. It faced its most unified challenge ever from an opposition that hoped to capitalize on allegations of arrogance, abuse of public funds, and racial discrimination against the government. The Election Commission estimated more than 10 million voted for a record turnout of 80% of 13 million registered voters. (More Malaysia stories.)