Malaysia Elections: Prime Minister Najib faces battle against former mentor, allies

World
Europe

02:28

In Malaysia, the campaign has formally kicked off for what's expected to be the most closely contested election in the country's history. The same alliance has ruled the country since independence 60 years ago.

But this time round, Prime Minister Najib Razak finds himself in the position of facing off against his former mentor, and prime minister of 22 years, Mahathir Mohamad, as well as other former leaders from the ruling party. Rian Maelzer reports from Kuala Lumpur.

The ruling Barisan Nasional is an alliance of parties that represent ethnic Malays, Chinese and Indians.

The opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance is ideologically diverse, ranging from a mostly Chinese social democrat party to a moderate Islamist one.

But many of the big names on both sides used to be allies in the ruling BN.

Najib Razak is facing his former mentor and prime minister-turned-opposition leader, Mahathir Mohamad, former deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim and Najib's own former deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin.

KEITH LEONG POLITICAL ANALYST, KSA GROUP "It suggests that there has been a dramatic and remarkable realignment of Malaysian politics. It also shows that nothing has changed in Malaysian politics, the fact is that these same names have been dominating the political scene for so long it just happens that they are on the different sides of the political fence."

The opposition is expected to again win big among ethnic Chinese, who make up about a quarter of voters.

PROF. TERENCE GOMEZ UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA "The big battle in this election is really the battle for the Malay hearts and minds, especially in the rural Malay heartland areas. There Mahathir will have a lot of influence and his alliance with Anwar may actually help the opposition unseat Najib."

Being led by Mahathir could also backfire on the opposition.

The opposition has to fight the campaign without the charismatic Anwar Ibrahim, who's nearing the end of a five-year prison sentence on sexual charges his supporters say were politically motivated.

RIAN MAELZER KUALA LUMPUR "But even without Anwar, the opposition can now for the first time boast other leaders with experience running a country that has only ever been governed by one coalition.Rian Maelzer, CGTN, Kuala Lumpur."