Preliminary election results on Saturday showed Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, which has governed for nearly 50 years, suffered its most significant losses yet, news reports said. ( dpa )
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's coalition achieved a significantly reduced majority at the polls after losing control of at least three states British broadcaster BBC reported.
The coalition had failed to regain the northern Kelantan state, the only state controlled by the opposition before polls opened early Saturday.
Malaysia's Election Commission said first results showed the National front had won 112 of the 165 seats in the 222-member parliament, according to the BBC.
More than 10.9 million Malaysians were registered to cast their votes Saturday as political observers predicted several surprises in the country's 12th general elections.