Barisan reels from worst-ever election performance - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is in shock. The Barisan Nasional is reeling from its worst-ever election performance.

While it managed to keep Terengganu and will form the next government, it lost Penang, Selangor Kedah and Perak to the Opposition and failed to recapture Kelantan.

Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in accepting the results, said this was clear proof of democracy at work in the country.

He urged people to remain calm and not take to the streets to celebrate.

Earlier, as reports spread of Barisan’s mounting losses, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan warned the public not to hold any victory celebrations or spread rumours of rioting and that the Internal Security Act would be used against offenders caught.

Musa’s concern is understandable considering Barisan’s losses are even bigger than what the ruling party experienced in the 1969 general election.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/9/nation/20590068&sec=nation]