BN, PAS predict gains in polls
The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition and the Islamic opposition both predicted big gains as voting began in the 11th general elections.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is virtually guaranteed victory nationally, but the key struggle is for state governments in the rural northern strongholds of Muslim-based PAS.
Abdullah, 64, told reporters after casting his ballot in his home constituency of Kepala Batas in northwestern Penang that he hoped his party would recapture the state of Terengganu, which PAS wrested from BN at the last elections in 1999.
After a hard campaign in the northern states as he tried to woo voters away from PAS' fundamentalism to what he calls "modern and progressive" Islamic rule, Abdullah said he believed the outlook was "very good, as good as it can be."
He predicted that the ruling coalition would retain its two-thirds majority in the national parliament and win an even bigger mandate.
'Swing to PAS'
PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang, 56, however, forecast a further swing towards PAS nationally and that the party would win control of a third state.
He told reporters after voting in Marang in northwestern Terengganu, that PAS would retain the states of Terrenganu and Kelantan and take neighbouring Kedah.
If his prediction proves correct, the loss of Kedah would be a major blow to BN, which has pushed hard to turn back the growing tide of fundamentalism seen when PAS made major gains in the last elections.
Although Malaysia has a total of 13 states and BN is tipped to easily win the national parliamentary vote, any sign of a loss of Muslim support could lead to a challenge to Abdullah for the leadership within his own party.
"The mood is good," Abdul Hadi told reporters after voting. "God willing we will win two thirds majority in Terengganu. Overall we will see an increase of parliament seats. We can get Kedah."
He said Abdullah's Umno, which leads the Barisan Nasional coalition, was "experiencing problems" after Abdullah took over when veteran premier Mahathir Mohamad retired last October after 22 years in power.
Fight against graft
Although Abdullah has painted the election as a contest between "progressive" Islam and backward conservatism, government corruption is also a major issue.
In the northern states the farmers and fishermen may be swayed less by ideological debates than by the perception that only the rich get richer in this rapidly-developing multiracial nation.
Acknowledging this, the prime minister has made the fight against graft and cronyism a central plank of his administration as it rides a resurgent economy and pledges development for all.
Abdullah also has on his side the fact that anger over one of the major issues in the last election - the sacking and jailing of popular former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim - has faded.
In the 1999 poll, the government's share of the Muslim vote slipped from 63 percent to 49 percent, with some of the support going to the fledging Keadilan led by Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, which took five parliamentary seats in an alliance with PAS.
Polls closely watched
The Barisan Nasional remained in power, as it has since independence from Britain in 1957, partly through the support of parties representing non-Muslim minorities who fear PAS fundamentalism.
Ethnic Chinese and Indians make up more than a third of the population of 25 million and are expected to again ensure victory for the coalition of 14 parties.
But Western governments and investors are watching closely for any signs that the majority Muslims have moved further towards fundamentalism and away from the economic policies which have put Malaysia among the world's top 20 trading nations.
Some 10.3 million people are eligible to vote in Sunday's elections, with results expected within hours of the polls closing. - AFP
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