Malaysia PM's coalition loses crucial 2/3 majority

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1 of 4. Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi listens as his deputy Najib Razak (L) speaks before a news conference in Kuala Lumpur March 9, 2008.

Credit: Reuters/Tim Chong

KUALA LUMPUR | Sat Mar 8, 2008 9:30pm GMT

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - The Malaysian premier's multi-racial coalition lost its crucial two-thirds majority in parliament in general elections on Saturday, the Election Commission said on Sunday.

The coalition also lost control of three states -- Kedah, Penang and Kelantan, the election body said with results still being tallied.

Barisan held a 90 percent majority in the last parliament and is set for a historic setback at these elections. The opposition is claiming victory in five state assemblies, including Selangor and Perak, while also capturing at least one-third of the seats in federal parliament.

A two-thirds majority is needed to amend the constitution. The last time it lost that majority was in the 1969 election.

(Reporting by Liau Y-Sing; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
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