WASHINGTON: Malaysia’s ruling party is expected to suffer losses in elections expected early next year as it grapples with rare street protests and racial and ethnic tensions, experts told a forum here.

But Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s National Front coalition government should maintain its two-thirds majority in parliament unbeaten since independence in 1957, they said.

Unprecedented street protests demanding electoral reforms and highlighting racial discrimination erupted in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur this month, posing one of the biggest challenges to Abdullah since he took over from the largely authoritarian and abrasive Mahathir Mohamad in 2003.

Opposition parties in Malaysia did not provide a viable alternative electorally as they were still very personality driven and ideologically divided with limited capacity in terms of “real representation and aspect of governance,” said Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asian expert at John Hopkins University.

The National Front secured the largest majority in about three decades, sweeping 198 parliamentary seats to the combined opposition parties’ 20 seats, in the last elections held in 2004.

But Welsh predicted Abdullah’s United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the Front’s lynchpin, could lose up to 15 parliamentary seats in upcoming polls and its senior coalition partner the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) could drop about six seats.

—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.