Thousands in Malaysia vote protest

More than 40, 000 opposition supporters turned out for this defiant rally to challenge the outcome of Malaysia's elections.

Many wore black to mourn what they called the death of democracy.

The weekend ballot saw the ruling coalition hold on to its 56-years in power albeit with a reduced parliamentary majority.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is pledging to expose the voting fraud he says cost his party victory.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) ANWAR IBRAHIM, MALAYSIA OPPOSITION LEADER, SAYING:

"You have no confidence in your people, you have to resort to cheating, buying and forcing Bangladeshi, Indonesians and Filipinos to vote for you."

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has said he was taken by surprise by the scale of what he called the Chinese tsunami.

Ethnic Chinese make up a quarter of Malaysia's population - and they voted overwhelmingly for the opposition.

(SOUNDBITE)(Mandarin) LEONG YUK KHOW, ETHNIC CHINESE VOTER, SAYING:

"It doesn