Malaysia at crossroads on election anniversary

The Jakarta Post, The Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur | Sun, 03/08/2009 11:26 AM  

Malaysia's opposition Sunday celebrated the first anniversary of historic elections that gave it unprecedented parliamentary strength, while the ruling coalition struggled to revive its wilting popularity.

In what Malaysians dubbed a political tsunami, a three-party alliance spearheaded by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim seized 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament last year, denying the National Front coalition government a two-thirds majority for the first time in four decades. The opposition also won control of five of Malaysia's 13 states. 

Although Anwar failed to fulfill his threat to topple the government within months of the general elections, analysts say the National Front remains at its weakest position ever in nearly 52 years of rule. 

Opposition supporters gathered at a stadium near Kuala Lumpur to mark the anniversary and hear speeches by Anwar and other officials urging them to build on the success of the March 8 polls. 

Anwar wanted to "call for unity among the Malaysian people and declare a firm resolve on the part of the (opposition) to work hard to face the challenges of the economic (downturn)," his People's Justice Party said in a statement. 

The National Front lost two special elections to fill parliamentary vacancies in the past six months and its attempt to oust an opposition-led state administration has wound up in deadlock, with both sides claiming to be in charge. 

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to hand power to his deputy, Najib Razak, at the end of this month to reverse the National Front's slumping popularity. 

Domestic Trade Minister Shahrir Samad told the New Straits Times newspaper that the general elections were "a wake-up call for us, and we have all moved into higher gear." 

Fears that Malaysia may tumble into its first recession since 1998 have increased disquiet. The economy grew just 0.1 percent in the final three months of 2008, and 22,000 people have lost their jobs since October.