Malaysian by-election vote begins

MALAYSIA: Voting began on Sunday in a by-election in a bastion of Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, a contest that could help trigger national polls this year.

The vote was called in the semi-rural Tenang constituency in southern Johor state after the death of a state assemblyman from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the dominant party in the coalition.

After nine days of tough campaigning and lively night rallies, voters began trickling in to polling stations to cast their ballots.

The by-election pits the Barisan Nasional's Mohamad Azahar Ibrahim, 39, against Normala Sudirman, a rising star within the conservative Islamic party (PAS) which belongs to the opposition alliance.

The outcome will not alter power in the state which is ruled by the coalition, but a convincing victory would indicate that support for Prime Minister Najib Razak remains intact there, as speculation about a looming general election grows.

"It is a critical by-election for UMNO and the Barisan Nasional. It will test their strength in their traditional stronghold," political analyst Khoo Kay Peng told AFP.

"It is a test for UMNO and PAS in the race for Malay leadership," he added, referring to the competition between the two parties to be seen as the voice of Muslim Malays who dominate the population.

Kuala Lumpur, Sunday, AFP