•Malaysia's government intensified efforts on 6 March 2008 to portray opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim as a political turncoat, days ahead of Malaysian general election, 2008 on 8 March 2008 because he posed a legitimate threat to the ruling coalition.
• Campaigning wrapped up 7 March 2008 for general elections that could see gains for Malaysia's opposition amid anger over race and religion among minority Chinese and Indians.
• Malaysians voted 8 March 2008 in parliamentary elections.
• Election results showed that the ruling government suffered a setback when it failed to obtain two-thirds majority in parliament, and five out of 12 state legislatures were won by the opposition parties.
• Reasons for the setback of the ruling party, which has retained power since the nation declared independence in 1957, are rising inflation, crime and ethnic tensions.