Both Sides Claim Victory in Malaysian Election

Saturday’s local election in the Malaysia’s Sarawak state, on the island of Borneo, did little to change the unsettled political situation in the country. The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition retained it two thirds majority, but the opposition party made some gains, by capitalizing on discontent among ethnic Chinese.

Sarawak has been a traditional stronghold for the ruling coalition and it again won a two thirds majority in the state legislative assembly.