PM moots reform plan for coalition

Kuala Lumpur: In an effort to boost the ruling coalition's popularity after massive losses in general elections early this year, Malaysia's prime minister has proposed membership reforms that might lead to it becoming a single multiracial party, local media reported yesterday.

The National Front, which has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957, is made up of 13 parties representing its different ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese and Indians. Currently, membership in the National Front can only be obtained by belonging to one of the ethnic-based parties.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has proposed that a special group be set up to allow supporters to enroll directly in the alliance instead of in the individual parties, the New Sunday Times newspaper reported.

The move appeared to be a response to growing calls within the coalition to turn the National Front into a single, multiracial party after its poor election results. Officials said the proposal was still being studied.