Voting has opened in Malaysia’s 15th general elections that will decide if a long-ruling coalition can make a comeback.
\nAccording to international media reports, about 21 million registered voters are expected to head to polling centres across the Southeast Asian nation throughout Saturday, amid fears heavy monsoon rains could disrupt voting in certain areas.
\nJailed ex-leader Najib Razak’s graft-tainted party is seeking to cement its grip on power in the election, but analysts say the race is too close to call.
\nNajib’s United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) usually dominates politics in the Southeast Asian country but suffered a major defeat in the 2018 general election after a massive corruption scandal at state fund 1MDB.
\nThe two governments that succeeded UMNO, however, were plagued by infighting, allowing the party to creep back into power last year. Now, UMNO will be seeking a stronger mandate in an election called ten months ahead of schedule.
\nAmong the challengers is perennial opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, 75, who leads the ethnically-diverse Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition. He is campaigning on an anti-corruption platform.
\nWith age catching up, this election could be Anwar’s last chance to fulfill a 20-year dream to lead Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy.
\nHe is up against the ruling Barisan National coalition, which is dominated by UMNO and led by Najib loyalist and ex-interior minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. It also includes caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
\nUMNO remains hobbled by corruption allegations. Najib, who was at the centre of the 1MDB scandal, is currently serving a 12-year jail term.
\nOpposition parties say they are concerned the ex-PM could walk free and corruption charges against Zahid and other party leaders could be dropped if UMNO wins.
\nFormer prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, 97, and another ex-leader Muhyiddin Yassin, 75, head two other coalitions contesting the elections.
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