Malaysian prime minister rejects opposition claims of electoral fraud

2013-05-07 82

Malaysian Prime Minister-elect Najib Razak dismisses accusations of election fraud.

His ruling National Front coalition, in power for 56 years had its worst-ever election performance, winning only 133 seats in the 222-member parliament.

During a news conference Tuesday, Razak refuted the accusations, saying "lies from opposition groups" led ethnic Chinese, who make up a quarter of Malaysia's 28 million population, to vote against the government.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he will lead a "fierce movement" to reform the country's electoral system and challenge the election results.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MALAYSIA OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER, ANWAR IBRAHIM, SAYING:

"You have crooks and corrupt people managing and you want us to accept that readily. We cannot compromise, with the need for fair election results."

He says the governing alliance flew in foreign immigrants to vote in support of the ruling National Front coalition.

(SOUNDBITE) (Eng