While the regional polls will not directly impact Anwar's
two-thirds majority in parliament, any significant losses for
his coalition could lead to questions about his leadership and
destabilise his ruling bloc, which came to power after a closely
fought and divisive national election in November.
The six states of Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan,
Terengganu and Kedah will vote on Aug. 12, Election Commission
chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said at a press conference.
Anwar's coalition is currently in power in three of the six
states.
The elections will pit Anwar's progressive, multi-ethnic
coalition against a mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim
alliance led by former premier Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin's bloc is expected to pose a strong challenge to
Anwar's after making huge inroads in the Malay heartlands in the
November election.
The alliance has portrayed itself to be clean of corruption,
whereas Anwar has faced criticism for joining hands with a
corruption-tainted party to form a government.
Anwar decided to form an alliance with the United Malays
National Organisation (UMNO), his coalition's former long-time
rival, to gain a majority in parliament.
Several of UMNO's top leaders face criminal corruption charges,
including its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is Anwar's
deputy.
A slowing economy and higher costs of living will be major
election issues for voters in the state polls.
Malaysia's economy is expected to grow slower than last year due
to global pressures. The ringgit, which has lagged regional
peers in Southeast Asia, is trading near a 7-month low.
Since coming to power, Anwar has focused on introducing economic
and institutional reforms, including reducing subsidies for the
wealthy, easing listing rules for companies, and abolishing the
mandatory death penalty.
(Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi and Rozanna Latiff; Editing by
Kanupriya Kapoor)
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