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Malaysian PM Won't Quit After Election Rout

'Political tsunami' the result of govt's inability to quell racial strife

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 9, 2008 12:28 PM CDT

(Newser) – Yesterday's elections in Malaysia dealt a stunning blow to the coalition that has effectively ruled the country since 1957. Despite the worst-ever showing, the National Front clung to a bare majority in parliament, and the prime minister refused calls for his resignation, BBC reports. Outside observers fear unrest and financial instability in the wake of the upset.

The defeat came in part as voters protested the government's failure to deal with rising racial and ethnic tensions in Malaysia. Islamist and reformist parties gained control of five of 13 Malaysian states. The Islamists' shock victory shows the movement to be on the rise in the country's heartland, Reuters reports.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, right, hold hands with Najib Razak, deputy Prime Minister Sunday, March. 9, 2008, after their press conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The National Front coalition announced a win in national elections. Malaysia's ruling coalition suffered its biggest electoral upset in nearly four decades Saturday, losing...
Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, right, hold hands with Najib Razak, deputy Prime Minister Sunday, March. 9, 2008, after their press conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The National Front...   (Associated Press)
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks to media at his home in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, March 9, 2008 after Saturday's general elections of the country. He needs to consider stepping down, Mahathir, who had handpicked Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to succeed him in 2003, told reporters. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks to media at his home in Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, March 9, 2008 after Saturday's general elections of the country. "He needs to consider stepping down,"...   (Associated Press)
A man walks in front of a billboard of National Front coalition showing picture of Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, March 9, 2008. Malaysians delivered a stinging rebuke to the ruling coalition with a massive protest vote, giving opposition parties control of five...
A man walks in front of a billboard of National Front coalition showing picture of Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, March 9, 2008. Malaysians...   (Associated Press)
Lim Guan Eng, Secretary-General of the opposition party, Malaysian Democratic Action Party or DAP, reacts during a press conference in Penang Island, Malaysia, Saturday, March 8, 2008. Malaysia's opposition party threatened on Saturday to hand the ruling coalition its biggest upset in 40 years by winning the northern island state...
Lim Guan Eng, Secretary-General of the opposition party, Malaysian Democratic Action Party or DAP, reacts during a press conference in Penang Island, Malaysia, Saturday, March 8, 2008. Malaysia's opposition...   (Associated Press)
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