KUALA LUMPUR: Elections that could determine the fate of Najib Razak, Malaysia’s scandal-plagued prime minister, were set on Tuesday for May 9, an unusual workday vote with a shorter campaign period than in the previous national polls.
Najib, who is seeking a third term in office, is under pressure to improve his National Front coalition’s performance after support eroded in the past two elections.
The combination of the election being held on a Wednesday and the shorter campaign is seen as possibly lowering voter turnout. Analysts say a lower turnout could hurt the opposition led by Mahathir Mohamad, who was Asia’s longest-serving leader when he retired in 2003 after 22 years.
Mahathir, who now leads a four-party opposition alliance, said the weekday vote was undemocratic because urban voters and about half a million Malaysians working in Singapore would find it difficult to return to their hometowns to vote. Other opposition politicians said it showed Najib was worried about the number of urban voters who want change.
Malaysia sets May 9 election date
Malaysia sets May 9 election date
