KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MALAYSIA'S national ruling coalition failed on Saturday in its bid to win back control of the northeastern state of Kelantan from the country's main opposition Islamist party, a party newspaper said.

Kelantan is Malaysia's only opposition-held state.

The Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), which has ruled the predominantly Muslim state for 18 years, is leading in 30 of the state assembly's 45 seats, the Harakah newspaper said in a text-message alert, quoting party vice-president Husam Musa.

The official tally has yet to be announced.

Losing Kelantan would be a personal setback for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who had waged a major charm offensive in Kelantan, promising millions of dollars in development aid to boost the chances of his multi-racial Barisan Nasional coalition. -- REUTERS