InfoAnda - Malaysia Islamists in decisive by-election win

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

NCSU Provost Resigns Amid Hiring Issues | 15 May 2009
Turkey sees NATO deal on Libya but talks go on | | 25 March 2011
Disputed Minnesota Senate Race Nears Finish; Franken Maintains Slim Lead | 30 December 2008

Osama Bin Laden rejected for dream island job | International | | 5 February 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Malaysia Islamists in decisive by-election win

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Malaysia Islamists in decisive by-election win Reuters - Sunday, January 18 By Razak Ahmad KUALA TERENGGANU, Malaysia - Malaysia's opposition Islamist party won a fiercely contested by-election on Saturday in a vote that was cast as a referendum on incoming prime minister Najib Razak. The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party , one of three partners in Anwar Ibrahim's opposition alliance, won the seat in Kuala Terengganu by a much bigger-than-expected 2,631 votes, overturning a government majority of 628 votes. Cheering PAS supporters took to the streets of Kuala Terengganu, a state capital of almost 300,000 people in rural north-eastern Malaysia, in cars and on mopeds, honking horns and waving green and white party flags. "This sends a message to the government that they are not relevant any more," said Hairani Mohamad, a PAS voter. Najib, who takes office in March after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi agreed to step down early, had declared the seat a "must win" ahead of polls for top party jobs in his United Malays National Organisation , the main government party. The only poll published during the campaign had predicted a narrow victory over the ruling National Front coalition for PAS, which wants to establish an Islamic state in this Southeast Asian nation of 27 million people. Analysts said the by-election result could raise political risk at a time when Najib, who heads the coalition which has ruled Malaysia for 51 years, has to confront the possibility of Malaysia's first recession in eight years. "This puts him in a position of weakness if we assume he will become the next prime minister," said Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia expert at Johns Hopkins University. The result does not fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Malaysian parliament where the government still has a majority of 52 seats in the 222-member house. BOOST TO THE OPPOSITION The vote was seen as a test of Malay Muslims, UMNO's core support, who account for 88 percent of voters in Kuala Terengganu, well above the national average of 60 percent, and some of whom have shifted support to PAS. Najib, who is standing unopposed in UMNO polls, had promised to enact reforms such as loosening preferential ownership for ethnic Malays to help the economy which has lost foreign investment to neighbours such as Thailand in recent years. He may now face a backlash from UMNO against any dilution of Malay rights which means he will not be able to accommodate demands for greater rights from politicians in ethnic Chinese and Indian parties in the governing coalition. "The bigger picture is not about Najib's personality but that the ruling coalition's brand of multiracialism is just not attractive any longer because its communalist roots has angered many," said Ooi Kee Beng, fellow at the Institute of South East Asian Studies in Singapore. Analysts say the vote in Kuala Terengganu may also help unify the three-party opposition, despite worries by an ethnic Chinese party in Anwar's alliance over PAS's push for Islamic laws. "We are stronger now, our strength and cohesion in this by-election marks a very big change," said PAS President Hadi Awang, who has refused in the past to endorse Anwar as leader of the opposition alliance. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister until he was imprisoned on what he says were trumped up charges of sodomy in the late 1990s, returned to parliament in August last year with a huge majority. However, he lost traction when he failed to deliver on promises to take power on September 16 with the aid of government defectors, but this win signals that he is a still a major political force. "Najib is the main loser and Anwar is still the man of the hour," said James Chin, political science professor at Monash University in Malaysia. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Malaysia Islamists in decisive by-election winReuters - Sunday, January 18 Malaysia's opposition wins by-electionAP - Sunday, January 18 NKorea says may retain nukes, raises border tensions with SeoulAFP - Sunday, January 18 Researcher: North Korea has `weaponized' plutoniumAP - Sunday, January 18 Afghan foreign minister unhappy with ClintonAP - Sunday, January 18 Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Zimbabwe unveils $100 trillion banknote Hormone drives sexy women to infidelity, says study 'Dogs don't wear condoms,' says Baywatch star Anderson Michelle Obama's ball gown has fashionistas abuzz Boy George jailed for 15 months for imprisoning escort View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Sunday, 18 January 2009
Christian killed in northern Iraqi city
Hamas vows to fight until Israel leaves Gaza
EU piles pressure as Kremlin hopes for gas crisis deal
Iran says jails accused in U.S.-backed plot: report | International |
Malaysia Islamists in decisive by-election win
Malaysia's opposition wins by-election
NKorea says may retain nukes, raises border tensions with Seoul
Obama calls for new US 'declaration of independence'
Researcher: North Korea has `weaponized' plutonium
Obama calls on America to reject bigotry
Kellogg's Recalls Cracker, Cookie Items As FDA Investigates PCA's Salmonella Outbreak
'Sexting' Leads To Child Porn Charges Against Teens
Obama Calls Bush A 'Good Man Who Loves His Family And His Country'
A look at China's Lunar New Year
Global slump casts a pall over Chinese New Year
International Year Of Astronomy Celebration Marks 400th Anniversary Of Galileo Using First Telescope
Transgender model steals the show in Fashion Rio
Israel begins ceasefire in Gaza Strip
Israeli ceasefire begins in Gaza | International |
Israeli PM declares halt to Gaza offensive
Russia, Ukraine PMs reach gas deal: official | International |
British PM urges banks to come clean over bad assets
Obama arrives in Washington for inauguration
Pilot reported bird impact before crash: officials
Obama sees challenges ahead
7 killed, dozens wounded in Afghanistan attacks
US welcomes Israel's ceasefire declaration
Scientists discover new marine life off Tasmania
Taliban threats close Pakistan schools
Amy Poehler's Spring Breakdown lightens Sundance | Entertainment |
4 stabbed during club's party for 'Notorious' film
Crowd endures cold to cheer Obama in Baltimore
Obama illustration finds place at Portrait Gallery
Amy Poehler's "Spring Breakdown" lightens Sundance
Spike Lee's a Sundance kid with `Passing Strange'
Putin painting auctioned for over $1 million
Gaza rockets hit southern Israel
Gaza rockets hit southern Israel: Israeli TV | International |
Egypt to host international Gaza summit Sunday
One dead, six missing, three survive French 'copter crash
U.S. sends home six Guantanamo prisoners | International |
LG Display says market hit bottom, focus on mobiles
French military helicopter crashes with 10 aboard
China confirms toddler infected with bird flu | International |
New York Times in finance talks with Mexican magnate
Frenchman speaks nonstop for 124 hours to set speech record
Germany's Merkel counts on a boost from state vote | International |
Malaysia government stumbles to another poll defeat | International |
LG Display says market hit bottom, focus on mobiles
Obama inauguration could put a stop to Guantanamo trials
Birds 'filled' windscreen before jet crash: officials
100 in Hong Kong protest Israeli attacks on Gaza
LG Display says market hit bottom, focus on mobiles | Technology |
Zimbabwe's first lady allegedly hits photographer in HK
Japan PM: Will fight to enact economic measures
Lance Armstrong has high hopes for Obama
Thai PM plans cash handouts, village grants
Relative of Macau leader on Interpol wanted list in graft scandal
Taiwan hands out vouchers in bid to lift faltering economy
Indonesia extends search for bodies from ferry disaster
NATO: 1 soldier killed in southern Afghanistan
Detroit auto show opens
China's toy exports hit by global crisis: state media
Amy Poehler's Spring Breakdown lightens Sundance | Entertainment |
Taiwan hands out $2.5 billion in spending vouchers
Tom Cruise says grew up wanting to kill Hitler | Entertainment |
Bright prospects for low-cost airlines in 2009
Economic crisis tames Year of the Ox celebrations in Asia
Rival studios reach deal on 'Watchmen' release
Miyazaki says he can't stand modern animation
Gaza rockets hit Israel despite unilateral ceasefire | International |
Turkey's PM travels to Brussels to bolster EU bid
Russia, Ukraine agree to resume Europe gas supplies
Mugabe urges opposition to accept power-sharing deal | International |
Pakistan troops kill 15 Taliban: security official
Mugabe threatens to break off Zimbabwe talks
Two Pakistani soldiers, 14 Taliban, killed in clash | International |
Tamil Tiger head may have fled Sri Lanka: army chief | International |
Erroneous Western democracy not for China: official | International |
Turkey's PM travels to Brussels to bolster EU bid | International |
Japan PM, opposition rally members as poll looms | International |
Armstrong overcomes pre-race nerves on comeback
Peanut butter products in Singapore not from suspected tainted US plant
Japan opposition leader renews vow to take power
Thailand accused of returning asylum-seekers to sea to die
Australian navy intercepts suspected refugees
Sri Lanka military: Troops take another rebel camp
NTBS Officials Say Preliminary Evidence Consistent With Birds Striking Jet
Japan PM vows to fight to enact economic measures
Obama, Biden And Families Arrive In Washington, Prepare For Tuesday Inauguration Day
Yaacob says Indian Muslim groups have role to play in tough economic times
SKorean president names new ambassador to US
Two Pakistani soldiers and 14 Taliban killed in clash
Landslide at Indonesian mine kills 4; 11 missing
Tom Cruise says he dreams of killing Hitler
US pop star Perry mistakenly given French award
Tom Cruise says he dreams of killing Hitler
Tom Cruise says grew up wanting to kill Hitler
Japan's top CEOs say crisis shows US shortcomings
U.S. welcomes Gaza ceasefire, Iran says not enough | International |
Hamas leader confirms Gaza militants' one-week truce offer
Merkel starts election year in pole position with state vote
Hamas announces one-week truce after Israel ceasefire
Pakistan says will reopen at-risk girls' schools
80,000 households donate 40,000kg of rice for the needy
Thai PM plans cash handouts, village grants
Pakistanis rally against Israeli attacks in Gaza
NTUC says more youths aged under 30 will start feeling impact of downturn
Tiger supremo may have fled, rebels surrounded
Philippines identifies 3 suspects in kidnapping
S’porean wanted by Interpol in connection with Cortina theft
6-Year-Old Boy Dies At Monster Truck Show In Washington
Sri Lanka army seizes camp, says rebels boxed in
FDA: Don't Eat Any Products Containing Peanut Butter, Except Out Of A Jar
Report: Macau leader's relative wanted by Interpol
China's GOME says chairman has resigned after police probe
Cruise too 'stiff' to play would-be Hitler killer
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01