The ruling coalition in Malaysia maintained its control over three states in the elections held today, Saturday, but official results indicated an increase in popularity for an opposition coalition against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The elections held in the states of Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah will not directly affect Anwar's two-thirds majority in Parliament, but they are viewed as a referendum on the coalition government he leads, which was formed nine months ago.
The Election Commission published data showing the re-election of Anwar's multiracial Progressive Coalition in three of the states it controlled before today's elections, including Selangor, the richest state in Malaysia. The opposition National Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and supported by a conservative Islamic party, also retained the three states it held prior to the elections.
Pre-election polls indicated strong concerns among voters regarding economic issues such as rising prices, slowing growth, and a weakening currency. A 28-year-old Malaysian voter in the Selayang district of Selangor expressed hope that the initiatives announced by Anwar's government would revitalize the economy.
