Kuala Lumpur  - Voters in three constituencies in Malaysia went to the polls Tuesday in a by-election indicative of the level of support for newly appointed Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The special parliamentary elections are being held simultaneously for the Bukit Gantang seat in the northern state of Perak, in Bukit Selambau in neighbouring Kedah state and in the Batang Ai constituency in the eastern state of Sarawak on Borneo island.

Results were due to be announced later Tuesday.

The by-elections, which were called after one lawmaker resigned and two died, are a crucial popularity test for Najib, who was appointed Friday.

Najib is taking over at a time when the ruling National Front coalition is facing its lowest-ever public support, evident in the losses the Front sustained during general elections in March 2008.

The Front failed to retain a two-thirds majority in Parliament for the first time in almost 40 years and lost an unprecedented five of the country's 13 states to the three-party opposition People's Alliance, led by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

While the triple by-election will not cause any shift in power because the ruling coalition currently holds a majority 139 seats against the opposition's 82, its results would be an indication of sentiment toward Najib's leadership.

"I only hope the people will adopt an open and positive attitude in evaluating my leadership," Najib told a local television channel days before the polling. "Hopefully, the people will accept my leadership. (dpa)