Malaysia: Former PM Mahathir loses seat in elections

PARIS: Counting of ballots began on Saturday in Malaysia’s tightly contested national election that will determine whether its long-ruling coalition can make a comeback after its stunning defeat four years ago. Oppn leader Anwar Ibrahim’s reformist bloc is forecast to lead — but with three main blocs vying for votes and many fence-sitters, analysts said the outcome is hard to predict and could see new alliances formed if there is no outright winner. Veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad, 97, lost the race for a parliamentary seat in his first defeat in 53 years.