KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s ruling coalition romped to victory in elections in the country’s largest state Saturday, providing some relief for Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is under fire over allegations of massive graft.
The vote in Sarawak, on Borneo island, has been closely watched for clues that Najib’s troubles have eroded ruling-coalition support as national elections loom by mid-2018.
But parties aligned to the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) gained 17 seats, giving them a total of 72 and a resounding majority in the 82-seat state assembly, according to Malaysian media.
The BN was likely aided by its well-established political machine, a burst of government spending announcements in the polls run-up and the creation of 11 new seats in its stronghold areas.
Disunity in Malaysia’s opposition may also have helped, with candidates competing head-to-head in some areas.
Najib led the BN — in power since independence in 1957 — to its worst-ever showing in 2013 national elections.
Sarawak holds state-assembly elections out of sync with the rest of Malaysia.
Allegations of electoral abuses have marred the polls, including the redistricting exercise that created 11 new seats, which critics have labelled gerrymandering by the ruling coalition.
The state government has also blocked opposition politicians and activists from entering to campaign, using entry controls Sarawak retained when it joined Malaysia in the 1960s.
The result may allow Najib to claim his government retains popularity despite the scandal.
But Sarawak, separated from mainland Malaysia by the South China Sea, is somewhat firewalled from political developments in the rest of the country, and only national elections can provide a clear indication of sentiment toward Najib.
Known for its vast tropical forests, mighty rivers and array of Borneo tribal communities, Sarawak is one of Malaysia’s least-developed states.
The vote in Sarawak, on Borneo island, has been closely watched for clues that Najib’s troubles have eroded ruling-coalition support as national elections loom by mid-2018.
But parties aligned to the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) gained 17 seats, giving them a total of 72 and a resounding majority in the 82-seat state assembly, according to Malaysian media.
The BN was likely aided by its well-established political machine, a burst of government spending announcements in the polls run-up and the creation of 11 new seats in its stronghold areas.
Disunity in Malaysia’s opposition may also have helped, with candidates competing head-to-head in some areas.
Najib led the BN — in power since independence in 1957 — to its worst-ever showing in 2013 national elections.
Sarawak holds state-assembly elections out of sync with the rest of Malaysia.
Allegations of electoral abuses have marred the polls, including the redistricting exercise that created 11 new seats, which critics have labelled gerrymandering by the ruling coalition.
The state government has also blocked opposition politicians and activists from entering to campaign, using entry controls Sarawak retained when it joined Malaysia in the 1960s.
The result may allow Najib to claim his government retains popularity despite the scandal.
But Sarawak, separated from mainland Malaysia by the South China Sea, is somewhat firewalled from political developments in the rest of the country, and only national elections can provide a clear indication of sentiment toward Najib.
Known for its vast tropical forests, mighty rivers and array of Borneo tribal communities, Sarawak is one of Malaysia’s least-developed states.
