Young voter-backed Islamists gain influence in Southeast Asia

The political leaders of the largest Muslim-majority nations in Southeast Asia received a reminder of Malaysia last week that the battle for the hearts and minds of voters is turning and religious conservatism is gaining ground.

In provincial elections Last weekend in Malaysia, far-right Islamist groups tightened their grip on three of the six states at stake. while the prime minister anwar abrahamThe multicultural coalition that retained the three states it previously controlled saw the Islamists wrest more seats in Selangor, the wealthiest state still under their rule.