Malaysia's prime minister wins party's backing despite losses

Malaysia's prime minister won the backing of his party today despite leading it to historic electoral losses.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declared: "We are collectively responsible. There are lessons to be learned."

He spoke for the first time since taking office for a new five-year term today and presiding over a meeting of the supreme council of his United Malays National Organisation party, which formally endorsed his leadership.

Although the UMNO-led National Front ruling coalition won Saturday's general elections, it managed only a simple majority.

In its worst electoral performance in 51 years of power, the coalition lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority and relinquished control of five of Malaysia's 13 states.

An opposition alliance won 82 seats in the 222 member Parliament, a massive jump from its 19 seats in the outgoing house.

The expressions of support for Abdullah appear to be an attempt to save the coalition from further crisis. Analysts say the prime minister's position continues to be shaky and that he could face pressure to step down once the dust has settled.

The elections hurt not only UMNO, which represents the majority Malays, but also other components of National Front - the Malaysian Chinese Association and the Malaysian Indian Congress, parties that profess to look after the interests of the Chinese and Indian minorities.

Regardless of race, Malaysians blamed Abdullah's administration for racial tensions, income disparities, inflation, rising crime, corruption and the enrichment of the ruling elite.

The minorities also complained of discrimination through an affirmative action system that gives Malays preference in jobs, business and education.

Abdullah said UMNO has accepted the result.

"It was a lesson to us, and it's a signal that we need to give attention" to people's complaints, he said. "We do recognise the shortcoming. We do recognise there are weaknesses."