Muhyiddin, Anwar both claim victory in tight Malaysia election

Each side will need partners to achieve simple majority of 112 seats

A ballot box sits on a table during Malaysia's general election on Nov. 19. The boxes will now be sent to counting centers. © Reuters

CK TAN and P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writers

November 19, 2022 20:17 JST

Updated on November 20, 2022 05:54 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- National Alliance coalition leader Muhyiddin Yassin and perennial leadership challenger Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the Hope Pact, both claimed they could form a government early Sunday after Malaysia's general election.

As of 4:30 a.m. local time, Anwar's Hope Pact had 82 of the 222 seats, Muhyiddin's National Alliance had 73, and the long-ruling UNMO-led National Front had 30.