Voters rejected Najib: Anwar

Mr Anwar warned that Mr Najib may resort to draconian measures to seal his rule, especially following the return of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to the ruling party. Dr Mahathir, who ruled for 22 years until 2003, was known for his authoritarian ways. -- PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

KUALA LUMPUR - THE defeat of Malaysia's ruling coalition in two by-elections signals a clear rejection of new Prime Minister Najib Razak, the opposition said on Wednesday, voicing concern he will resort to repression to cement his power.

The ruling coalition brushed off the losses, saying Mr Najib needs more time to make an impression.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said his People's Alliance increased the margin of victories in Tuesday's polls despite Mr Najib's pledge of wide-ranging reforms after taking office last Friday.

'Clearly, it is a referendum (on Najib) because the entire line of (the government's) campaign was that 'We have a new leader, give him a chance.' That has crumbled,' he told reporters. The results 'demonstrated that the people of Malaysia remain committed to change,' he said. The three-member People's Alliance retained a Parliament seat in northern Perak state and a state seat in northern Kedah state.

It lost in the race for a rural state seat in Sarawak on Borneo island, but Mr Anwar said the opposition suspected foul play because vote-counting was not done in the polling booths but taken to another center in at least 14 areas. The polls were to fill vacancies caused by two deaths and one resignation. The results do not change the balance of power at the federal or state level.

The National Front coalition has downplayed the loss, saying Najib has yet to make his mark. 'The feel-good factor from the power transition is still too new and has not sunk in,' said Mr Najib's right-hand man, Muhyiddin Yasin.

'I am confident that when the new leadership begin their duties and when reforms are implemented, it will convince the people,' said Mr Muhyiddin, who is expected to be appointed deputy prime minister in the new Cabinet. Mr Najib is likely to announce his Cabinet on Thursday or by next week.

Mr Anwar warned that Mr Najib may resort to draconian measures to seal his rule, especially following the return of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to the ruling party. Dr Mahathir, who ruled for 22 years until 2003, was known for his authoritarian ways.

'We expect more repressive measures by Najib as advised by the old prime minister. There is this strong consternation that the old order, the old regime that is repressive and intolerant, will be back,' he said.

Mr Anwar said Tuesday's by-elections had given renewed momentum to his opposition alliance and voiced confidence it could 'easily form the next government' in general elections due by 2013. He renewed his call for fresh elections in Perak state, which was won by the opposition in March 2008 general election but controversially clawed back by the National Front earlier this year through defections. -- AP