Malaysia’s opposition on March 8 celebrated the first anniversary of historic elections that gave it unprecedented parliamentary strength, while the ruling coalition struggled to revive its wilting popularity.
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.
VNS/VOVNews