Malaysia election kicks off, close race expected
Malaysians headed to the polls with jailed ex-leader Najib Razak's scandal-hit party seeking to cement its grip on power in a race analysts say is too close to call.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who campaigned on a platform of fighting corruption, said he was "cautiously confident" his coalition would win a simple majority in the 222-member parliament.
"A win today would certainly be gratifying after more than two decades of fighting to win the hearts and minds of the people," Anwar said before casting his vote in Penang state.
"Let us be clear: this would be a victory for the people."
About 21 million registered voters will troop to polling centres throughout the day amid fears heavy monsoon rains could disrupt the polls in certain areas.
Najib'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.
The 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.
Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, 97, and another ex-leader, 75-year-old Muhyiddin Yassin, head two other coalitions contesting the elections.
