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Malaysia's ruling coalition wins key seat
Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition on Sunday won a key state assembly seat, a victory likely to inspire the allianc regain lost ground after last year's dismal showing at the general elections.
Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition on Sunday won a key state assembly seat, a victory likely to inspire the allianc regain lost ground after last year's dismal showing at the general elections.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) retained the Bagan Pinang state seat in a by-election with a bigger majority than the the 2008 general election.
BN candidate Mohd Isa Abdul Samad garnered 8,013 votes to beat his opponent Islamic party PAS state commissioner Zulkefly Mohamad Omar who polled 2,578 votes.
The victory is seen as significant to BN as it will inspire the coalition to regain lost ground after the 2008 general election, national news agency Bernama said.
The polls were marred by scuffles and bottle-throwing incidents involving BN and opposition supporters. However, heavy police presence prevented the fights, which emanated from a shouting match, from escalating. Two persons - a BN and a PAS member - were arrested, Bernama added.
