US CONGRATULATES ABDULLAH.

(From Bernama The Malaysian National News Agency)

Byline: Salmy Hashim

WASHINGTON, March 23 (Bernama) -- The United States Monday congratulated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for leading his coalition to a "very convincing" election victory.

A senior US government official told Bernama here: "We congratulate Malaysia on the conduct of the election and how the process was handled.

"The decision was made by the people of Malaysia and we're happy the election went well."

The State Department noted that Malaysia's election was well-administered and free of violence.

Opposition parties won 20 of 219 …