Malaysia polls: Scandal-hit PM Najib Razak faces ex-mentor Mahathir Mohamad
Malaysians went to the polls today in one of the country's closest ever elections which pits scandal-hit Prime Minister Najib Razak against his one-time mentor, 92-year-old former authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad. Najib, 64, is seeking to retain power at the head of a regime that has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957, but veteran ex-leader Mahathir's shock comeback has upended the election race.
Mahathir has teamed up with an alliance of parties
Angered by a massive financial scandal that has tarnished Malaysia's image, Mahathir has teamed up with an alliance of parties that opposed him when he was in power, and which includes jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim, his former nemesis. Najib's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is seen as likely to win due to an electoral system that critics say is heavily stacked in their favor.
Majority of MPs in parliament is required for victory
Analysts had predicted that the government will lose the popular vote for the second consecutive election. Under the Malaysian system, a simple majority of MPs in parliament is required for victory, rather than the popular vote. The race is expected to be tight, however.
Election results are expected later today or tomorrow
The opposition alliance has gained ground in recent weeks as Mahathir, who ruled with an iron fist for 22 years, has chipped away at the government's key support base, the Muslim Malay majority. Long queues were forming at voting centers across the country, which opened at 8:00 am. They were due to close at 5:00 pm with results expected later today or tomorrow.
A voter said he was "hoping for change"
Lim Kok Tong, a 43-year-old voter in Kuala Lumpur, said he was "hoping for change". "When governments realize that they can be replaced, they will be attentive to their citizens," said the voter from the country's sizeable ethnic Chinese minority, who typically support the opposition.
Najib is under pressure to score an emphatic win
Najib is under pressure to score an emphatic win after the government lost the popular vote for the first time at the last elections in 2013, and observers say his position as PM could be under threat if he does not do well. Voters in the multi-ethnic country have become increasingly disillusioned by divisive racial politics, the rising cost of living and graft scandals.
What is the 1MDB controversy?
The 1MDB controversy has only added to Najib's woes. Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund, which was set up and overseen by Najib, in a sophisticated scheme of fraud and money-laundering. The leader and 1MDB deny any wrongdoing.
Mahathir urged voters to dump a government that "destroyed" Malaysia
In an eve of election address, Najib has promised tax exemptions for the young and more public holidays if his coalition wins. In a rival speech, however, Mahathir urged voters to dump a government that he says has "destroyed" the country. Najib has also countered Mahathir's attacks by focusing on the ex-premier's own authoritarian track record while in office.
