Campaigning begins as Malaysia readies for election

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Campaigning for Malaysia’s forthcoming elections began officially on Saturday as candidates registered to run in the hard-fought polls next month while flag-waving political supporters marched on the streets.

Prime Minister Najib Razak is facing a tough fight to hang on to power due to a scandal surrounding sovereign wealth fund 1MDB and a challenge from veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, 92.

Najib's long-ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition is nevertheless tipped to win the May 9 poll due to a weakened opposition and alleged vote-rigging, according to his critics.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak waves as he leaves after submitting his documents at the nomination center in Pekan, April 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

Candidates seeking to contest the election registered across the country, with electoral authorities due to confirm if they can run before the 11-day campaign officially begins. There are 222 parliamentary seats up for grabs.

Najib, dressed in dark blue traditional Malay dress, registered his candidacy in his constituency of Pekan, in Pahang state, which he has held since 1976.

His supporters gathered and sang the national anthem, while waving blue banners – the color of the ruling coalition – that read "we choose BN."

"He has developed our country, developed an Islamic nation, race and country," supporter Azizah Abdul Aziz told AFP.

Mahathir Mohamad, former Malaysian prime minister and candidate for opposition alliance Pact of Hope, shakes hands with his supporters after his nomination, on Langkawi island, Malaysia, April 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

On the holiday island of Langkawi in northwest Malaysia, Mahathir – who was premier for 22 years – arrived at a local government office to register his candidacy, wearing bright red Malay dress and a traditional black cap.

Outside, about 5,000 backers of the opposition coalition he is heading, Pact of Hope, waved flags and chanted.

"Mahathir can help reboot this country," supporter Aziah Mohamad Nasir said. "Prime Minister Najib has destroyed justice; there is no rule of law."

Supporters of Malaysia's opposition Alliance of Hope march to a nomination center, on Langkawi island, Malaysia April 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

Mahathir has joined forces with the opposition as their prime ministerial candidate due to the 1MDB scandal, in a stunning volte-face which has seen him throw in his lot with parties he crushed while in power.

Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from 1MDB – which was set up and overseen by Najib – in a campaign of fraud and money-laundering, with American authorities claiming it was used to buy high-end real estate and artwork in the United States.

Supporters of Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) gather during the election nomination day in Pekan, April 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

Najib and the fund deny any wrongdoing, but the controversy has only added to BN's problems after years of falling popularity driven by official corruption, divisive racial politics in the multi-ethnic country and anger at rising living costs.

The leader is under pressure to score an emphatic win after BN, which has led Malaysia since independence from Britain in 1957, lost the popular vote for the first time at the 2013 election.

[Cover Photo: Supporters of Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional party gather during the election nomination day in Pekan, April 28, 2018. /VCG Photo]

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Source(s): AFP