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Malaysia to vote in closely-contested election Malaysia votes in closely contested elections
(about 4 hours later)
Malaysians are preparing go to the polls in what is widely expected to be the most closely contested general election in the country's history. Malaysians are going to the polls in what is widely expected to be the most closely contested general election in the country's history.
PM Najib Razak's Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition is up against Pakatan Rakyat, a three-party alliance headed by Anwar Ibrahim.PM Najib Razak's Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition is up against Pakatan Rakyat, a three-party alliance headed by Anwar Ibrahim.
Voters are faced with returning the ruling party, in power for 56 years, or choosing an untested opposition.Voters are faced with returning the ruling party, in power for 56 years, or choosing an untested opposition.
Ahead of the polls, allegations of various forms of fraud have emerged.Ahead of the polls, allegations of various forms of fraud have emerged.
For the first time since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957, correspondents say there is a real possibility that the opposition headed by Mr Anwar may be able to unseat the ruling party.For the first time since Malaysia's independence from Britain in 1957, correspondents say there is a real possibility that the opposition headed by Mr Anwar may be able to unseat the ruling party.
The possibility of an end to more than half a century of one-party rule has made this the hardest-fought election anyone can remember, says BBC South-East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head.The possibility of an end to more than half a century of one-party rule has made this the hardest-fought election anyone can remember, says BBC South-East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head.
The hunger for change, especially among younger Malaysians, has given the opposition real momentum during the campaign, says our correspondent.The hunger for change, especially among younger Malaysians, has given the opposition real momentum during the campaign, says our correspondent.
But the ruling party has significant advantages, he adds, in the cash it has spent on crowd-pleasing hand-outs, and in the way Malaysia's parliamentary system over-represents rural areas, where the government's support is strongest.But the ruling party has significant advantages, he adds, in the cash it has spent on crowd-pleasing hand-outs, and in the way Malaysia's parliamentary system over-represents rural areas, where the government's support is strongest.
Clamour for change?Clamour for change?
Barisan Nasional, while credited with bringing economic development and political stability, has also been tainted by allegations of corruption.Barisan Nasional, while credited with bringing economic development and political stability, has also been tainted by allegations of corruption.
But it remains to be seen whether Mr Anwar's coalition, comprising parties of different ethnicities and religions, can persuade voters to choose an alternative government.But it remains to be seen whether Mr Anwar's coalition, comprising parties of different ethnicities and religions, can persuade voters to choose an alternative government.
Mr Najib, 59, said he was confident that Malaysians would retain his coalition and even return the two-thirds parliamentary majority Barisan Nasional lost in the 2008 polls.Mr Najib, 59, said he was confident that Malaysians would retain his coalition and even return the two-thirds parliamentary majority Barisan Nasional lost in the 2008 polls.
"I asked myself, why are we getting more support from people?" he said during a campaign rally on Thursday."I asked myself, why are we getting more support from people?" he said during a campaign rally on Thursday.
"Because for the last four years we have proved that our national transformation has been able to protect and benefit all Malaysians.""Because for the last four years we have proved that our national transformation has been able to protect and benefit all Malaysians."
He told supporters in his home state of Pahang on Saturday that he wanted to "carry on with the trust" placed in him, saying: "The task of transformation is not over yet."He told supporters in his home state of Pahang on Saturday that he wanted to "carry on with the trust" placed in him, saying: "The task of transformation is not over yet."
Meanwhile, Mr Anwar, 65, said people's clamour for change meant that Pakatan Rakyat would emerge victorious.Meanwhile, Mr Anwar, 65, said people's clamour for change meant that Pakatan Rakyat would emerge victorious.
"God willing, we will succeed," he told the Associated Press news agency."God willing, we will succeed," he told the Associated Press news agency.
"People have enough of this semi-authoritarian rule, of complete [government] control of the media, of strong arrogance, of power and endemic corruption.""People have enough of this semi-authoritarian rule, of complete [government] control of the media, of strong arrogance, of power and endemic corruption."
On a campaign stop in the north on Friday evening he told supporters it was "an election of the people fighting oppressive and corrupt rulers."On a campaign stop in the north on Friday evening he told supporters it was "an election of the people fighting oppressive and corrupt rulers."
'Support the process''Support the process'
Allegations of election fraud have surfaced before the election. Some of those who voted in advance have complained that indelible ink - supposed to last for days - easily washed off.Allegations of election fraud have surfaced before the election. Some of those who voted in advance have complained that indelible ink - supposed to last for days - easily washed off.
The opposition has also accused the government of funding flights for supporters to key states, which the government denies.The opposition has also accused the government of funding flights for supporters to key states, which the government denies.
"In the past few months we are already hearing rumours and unsubstantiated statements about the presence of foreign nationals being given IDs and then allowed to vote," Ibrahim Suffian, director of the independent pollster Merdeka Center, told Reuters news agency."In the past few months we are already hearing rumours and unsubstantiated statements about the presence of foreign nationals being given IDs and then allowed to vote," Ibrahim Suffian, director of the independent pollster Merdeka Center, told Reuters news agency.
Mr Razak's party, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), said the flights had been funded by supporters and not the prime minister himself.Mr Razak's party, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), said the flights had been funded by supporters and not the prime minister himself.
It said they were routine efforts to help voters get home.It said they were routine efforts to help voters get home.
Speaking on Saturday in his home state of Penang, Mr Anwar said his party had advised supporters "to remain calm, not to be provoked, not to take the law into their own hands, support the process".Speaking on Saturday in his home state of Penang, Mr Anwar said his party had advised supporters "to remain calm, not to be provoked, not to take the law into their own hands, support the process".
"Unless there's a major massive fraud tomorrow - that is our nightmare - we will win," he told AFP."Unless there's a major massive fraud tomorrow - that is our nightmare - we will win," he told AFP.
Rights group Human Rights Watch also said there had been well-planned attacks against the country's independent media ahead of the polls.Rights group Human Rights Watch also said there had been well-planned attacks against the country's independent media ahead of the polls.
It said on Thursday that readers were unable to access several online news sites providing coverage of opposition candidates.It said on Thursday that readers were unable to access several online news sites providing coverage of opposition candidates.