Malaysians vote in bitterly contested elections

Malaysia: Malaysians have begun voting in emotionally charged national elections that could see the long-ruling coalition ousted after nearly 56 years in power.

Incumbent Prime Minister Najib Razak has voiced confidence that the National Front coalition will remain Malaysia’s dominant political force despite facing its most unified opposition challenge since independence from Britain in 1957.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s three-party alliance hopes widespread grievances over how theNational Front has struggled with accusations of arrogance, abuse of public funds and racial discrimination will translate into a surge of votes to propel the opposition into power.

Tens of thousands of Malaysia’s 13.3 million registered voters lined up at schools and other voting centers Sunday to cast their ballots at the beginning of a 10-hour voting period.