The expected result after Saturday’s state election means the status quo in Malaysia’s political governance. The country’s electoral commission said on Saturday night that Anwar Ibrahim’s party political coalition won in Selangor and Penang, two of the country’s richest states. Victory in Negeri Sembilan was also secured.
The opposition grouping Perikatan Nasional (PN) which includes a conservative Islamist party, won in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
The election result is believed to mean that Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition can continue on its political path, albeit with a partially united opposition that has strong strongholds in Malaysia’s poorer states and is on the rise.
A loss in any of the three states where Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition was in power could have meant a government crisis.
“Now is the time for everyone, both winners and losers, to work together for national peace, increase the country’s dignity and concentrate on developing Malaysia,” Anwar Ibrahim said at a press conference when the election results were announced.
The last national election in Malaysia was held last November, with an even and polarizing result between the two blocs.