In Malaysia
> Essentially a reversion to the pattern established in 1995, and a
> personal triumph for the new man, Abdullah Badawi. Voters, relieved
> at Mahathir's departure, liked the noises Badawi was making.
> But hardly the exemplary seeing-off of the so-called fundamentalist
> Islamists touted in the world media. The Islamic party, although
> trounced in terms of seats -- an effect of the first-past-the-post
> system -- retained its support in the (poorer) northern states. It
> was in the rich central states that there was almost wilful
> abandonment of Anwar Ibrahim's party.
Is there a strong or influential Leftwing group or trade union in Malaysia?
Btw, what is your take on the events in Southern Thailand?
Ulhas