Government 'wins Malaysia vote'

Government 'wins Malaysia vote'

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's long-governing coalition has won national elections to extend its 56 years of unbroken rule, fending off the strongest opposition it has ever faced.

Charges of fraud appeared certain from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and supporters.

The Election Commission reported that Prime Minister Najib Razak's National Front coalition captured 112 of Malaysia's 222 parliamentary seats to win a simple majority Sunday. Mr Anwar's three-party alliance seized 57 seats. Other races were too close to call.

It was the National Front's 13th consecutive victory in general elections since independence from Britain in 1957. It faced its most unified challenge ever from an opposition that hoped to capitalize on allegations of arrogance, abuse of public funds and racial discrimination against the government.

The Election Commission estimated more than 10 million voted for a record turnout of 80 per cent of 13 million registered voters.

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