Islamists win in Malaysia
Updated on 08 March 2008
Islamists look set to win control of the north of Malaysia in the country's general elections.
The Parti Islam se-Malaysia, whose platform calls for stonings and amputations of Muslim thieves and adulterers, has declared victory in three northern states that border Thailand.
Leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat tried to broaden the party's appeal in the election campaign but he is still viewed with suspicion by the predominantly Buddhist Chinese community.
Chinese voters turned to the leftist Democratic Action Party, which won control of the key state of Penang, the hub of Malaysia's electronics industry, which accounts for about half of the country's exports.
Voters from across the emerging southeast Asian superpower's multicultural divide deserted the ruling Barisan Nasional party in droves.
The last time the party suffered a setback, in 1969, there were race riots and a state of emergency.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called the election result "a perfect storm".
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