Malaysians were out voting yesterday in what has turn out be a history making day in the country's politics.Malaysia's ruling coalition on Saturday suffered its biggest electoral upset ever,losing control of four state governments and failing to win the crucial two-thirds majority in parliament.It is Barisan Nasional (BN)'s worst performance in a general election since independence in 1957.
The National Front coalition won 137 of the 222 seats at stake,or less than 62 percent,the Election Commission announced in releasing preliminary results,according to state news agency Bernama.The coalition lost four states - Kedah,Penang,Perak and Selangor,while PAS secured two-thirds majority to keep its hold on Kelantan.MIC President Samy Vellu lost his seat as well,but I think many people saw that coming.Besides Samy Vellu,who is also the Works Minister,Shahrizat Abdul Jalil,Zainuddin Maidin and Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin were also defeated in the elections.The biggest surprise for me was of course when I heard former Deputy Prime Minister,Anwar Ibrahim's daugther,Nurul Izzah beating BN Shahrizat Abdul Jalil,in Lembah Pantai.Considering she was contesting in the election for the first time while Shahrizat has done it and won it many times before is remarkable.Well done to her,I am really pleased because I am a huge Anwar Ibrahim fan,its sad that he is unable to compete in yesterday's election,but I guess watching her daughther and his wife,Wan Azizah Wan Ismail,retaining her seat is just as good as seeing Anwar winning.
Despite yesterday shocking result for the coalition,Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi,who retained his Kepala Batas parliamentary seat in Penang,said that he is not stepping down and that he would have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin,on Monday on the formation of the new government.Yesterday result I think was not so shocking seeing how the Malaysians are unhappy with the current regime over price rises,religious disputes and concerns over corruption.It is definitely a big blow to PM Abdullah and his party,but I guess that is how democracy is.If the people is not happy with the current government,they want to see change and change is exactly what has happened yesterday.
After yesterday result,I dont expect PM Abdullah to step down but it is going to be tough work for him and his party going into the future if they want to win the confidence back from the people.The election is over,now is the time to deliver what has been said,Im really looking forward to whether Nurul Izzah can do a good job,Im sure she will.The only way to see whether Malaysians has done the right decision is to wait and see.One thing for sure,it can only get more interesting from here.
*The report is taken from ChannelNewsAsia and AFP.
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