Malaysian media urge reforms after poll setbacks

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's pro-government newspapers urged the ruling coalition on Sunday to ensure better job and education opportunities in the multi-racial nation after it suffered its biggest electoral defeat.

In a surprise election upset on Saturday, the opposition won in five states, trouncing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition.

An opposition alliance also denied Barisan its crucial two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time since 1969.

"Political tsunami," read the headline in the top-selling Sunday Star newspaper. "Winds of change sweep Malaysia," another headline said.

The government should ensure greater job and educational opportunities, the New Sunday Times said.

Minority Chinese and Indians had complained that the government, dominated by majority Malays, denied them equal job, education and economic opportunities. In November, 10,000 people of Indian origin staged a street protest to air their grievances.

Despite being government-friendly, mainstream newspapers did not hide their criticism of the coalition following its worst-ever showing.

But they stopped short of asking Abdullah, who led Barisan to a record victory just four years ago, to step down.

Abdullah told a news conference after the results that no one was pressuring him to resign.