Analysts say the ruling National Front, in power since independence from Britain in 1957, might lose the popular vote for a second consecutive election. But it could still win a majority in Parliament due to an electoral system that gives more power to rural Malays, the party’s traditional supporters. Redrawn electoral boundaries were rushed through Parliament last month, pushing likely opposition voters into seats that already support the opposition and dividing constituencies along racial lines. An unpopular goods and services tax, introduced by Najib in 2015 to boost government revenue as Malaysia’s oil wealth dwindles, has also dented support for the ruling coalition. Tindak, a group advocating for reform of the electoral system, says one third of voters decide half of seats.

Source: National Post May 09, 2018 00:23 UTC