RI welcomes Malaysia poll result

Abdul Khalik ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 03/11/2008 1:37 AM  |  Headlines

Indonesia welcomed Monday the outcome of Malaysia's election and said Jakarta would continue its relations with Kuala Lumpur under Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he hoped Malaysia would remain stable despite the failure of Abdullah's National Front to retain its two-third majority in parliament, said Indonesian presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal.

Dino spoke to journalists just before Yudhoyono left Jakarta to start a 10-day trip to four countries including Iran and South Africa.

The ruling coalition lost five of the country's 13 states to the opposition Islamist and reformist parties.

"Whatever the results, the election is Malaysia's internal affair," Dino said.

"Yesterday in Cikeas (Yudhoyono's private residence), the President continued to follow the election's process and outcome.

"We hope Malaysia will stay stable and we will continue our good relations."

Dino said Yudhoyono was a long-time friend of Abdullah and the President would continue his friendship with the premier.

Abdullah was sworn in for a second term in office Monday, defying calls for him to quit after the ruling coalition's worst ever election performance.

Observers said Abdullah's task now was to form a new government under the National Front, made up of 14 race-based parties including ethnic Chinese and Indian parties that were annihilated in the polls.

Voters punished the government for rising inflation and its handling of racial tensions which lead to a backlash from Malaysia's minority ethnic Chinese and Indians, as well as Muslim Malays who form its powerbase.

The opposition, led by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim -- who made his comeback after being sacked and jailed a decade ago -- grew stronger in the election.

The opposition parties -- Anwar's Keadilan, the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the Islamic Party PAS -- won an unprecedented five states in the polls.

PAS also extended its margin in northern Kelantan state, which it had held by a thin majority.

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