MALAYSIA’S ELECTION CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF
Campaigning for Malaysia’s May 9 general election started officially on Saturday, pitting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak against his former mentor, Mahathir Mohamad, in a contest marred by claims of sabotage and a skewed electoral system.
Najib leads his undefeated ruling coalition into arguably its toughest election since independence from Britain in 1957.
He is grappling with a multibillion-dollar scandal at a state fund, public anger over living costs and an unprecedented challenge by the 92year-old Mahathir.
Coming out of retirement
Mahathir, returning to politics after retiring 15 years ago, will stand in the holiday island of Langkawi.
Prime minister for 22 years before stepping down in 2003, Mahathir returned to challenge Najib after a billion-dollar scandal at state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Najib denies any wrongdoing in connection with losses at the fund.
Najib will contest from his home state of Pahang.
His Barisan Nasional alliance and the opposition are vying for 222 parliamentary and 505 state seats.
Election Commission Chair Mohd Hashim Abdullah told a news conference an 85-percent voter turnout was expected on polling day, despite it being a weekday.
“Don’t worry. We set the date and the turnout target because we expect they will come out,” Mohd Hashim told a news conference.—