Malaysia’s ruling coalition triumphs in Sarawak state poll in boost for Najib

Malaysia’s ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has stormed to victory in the Sarawak state election, suggesting that allegations of corruption surrounding Prime Minister Najib Razak had little impact on voters.

In Sarawak’s 11th election billed as the largest one to date BN secured 72 of 82 seats in the state assembly, the Election Commission announced Saturday evening.

Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem was sworn in for his second term.

The results marked an increase in support for BN compared to the last election in 2011 when the party won 55 of 71 seats.

Electoral officials added 11 new seats in a boundary redraw last year, which critics said favored the government.

Najib celebrated the results in the state capital, Kuching, along with Adenan and other BN members.

A reporter with Britain’s Channel 4 News was removed from a press meeting following the vote after asking Najib when he will resign, according to an epa journalist at the scene.

The vote on Saturday marked BN’s first electoral test since allegations surfaced that Najib diverted some $681 million from state investment fund 1MDB into his bank accounts.

Najib, who was absolved of all charges by the public prosecutor in January, has denied the accusations and says the money was a donation from the Saudi royal family.

Following the results, the prime minister vowed that BN will “live up to the expectations and aspirations of the Sarawak people”.