Kuala Lampur, Malaysia — Malaysians gave their secular Prime Minister a huge election victory on Sunday, smashing a fundamentalist Muslim party that had wanted to impose an Islamic state in the Southeast Asian country.
The results were seen as a personal endorsement for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whose low-key style has proved a sharp contrasted to his combative predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad.
Many voters — especially the Chinese and Indian minorities — had feared Islamic fundamentalism was on the rise in Malaysia, a country that has detained scores of suspected terrorists in the past two years, some linked to al-Qaeda.
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Mr. Abdullah declared victory at his party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, where he joined hands with his wife and deputy prime minister to lead a sing-along of the party's theme song before a cheering crowd.
"The people have accepted that the National Front is strong and capable enough to fulfill a mandate to develop our country and make it safe and peaceful for everyone," Mr. Abdullah said.
Stunned supporters of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party gathered at the home of its leader, Abdul Hadi Awang, who was visibly shaken and on the verge of tears.
Party officials were at a loss to explain the results. "It was all up to God," said Zaihan Mohamed Daud, a senior official. "But it doesn't matter. Our reward is in heaven."
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The only winner among opposition parties was the Democratic Action Party, a non-religious, multi-ethnic group that was largely sidelined during a campaign dominated by debate about the role of Islam. It won at least seven parliamentary seats.
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Mr. Abdullah has sought support in ending years of Mahathir-era cronyism and promoting a moderate, progressive version of Islam.
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040321.wmalay0321/BNStory/International/
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