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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Malaysian general elections set for 5 May | Malaysian general elections set for 5 May |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A general election will be held in Malaysia on 5 May, the Election Commission said, in what is seen as a major test for Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition. | A general election will be held in Malaysia on 5 May, the Election Commission said, in what is seen as a major test for Prime Minister Najib Razak's ruling coalition. |
| The governing party has been in power for a 56-year period. However, the opposition has been gaining ground on a pledge to end corruption. | The governing party has been in power for a 56-year period. However, the opposition has been gaining ground on a pledge to end corruption. |
| In 2008, the ruling National Front lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time. | In 2008, the ruling National Front lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time. |
| Formal campaigning starts on 20 April. | Formal campaigning starts on 20 April. |
| Mr Najib dissolved parliament last week and will serve as caretaker prime minister until the elections. | Mr Najib dissolved parliament last week and will serve as caretaker prime minister until the elections. |
| In recent weeks, he has been highlighting Malaysia's economic successes under his leadership, as well as giving cash handouts. | In recent weeks, he has been highlighting Malaysia's economic successes under his leadership, as well as giving cash handouts. |
| On Saturday, he unveiled his manifesto pledging cash for the poor and more affordable living costs. | On Saturday, he unveiled his manifesto pledging cash for the poor and more affordable living costs. |
| 'Great survivor' | |
| Opinion polls suggest a narrow win for the National Front. Mr Najib faces pressure to return the party to its two-thirds majority in parliament. | |
| Many are predicting that this could be closest vote since independence from Britain 56 years ago, the BBC's Jonah Fisher in Bangkok reports. | |
| Anwar Ibrahim, who leads the opposition, is seen as one of the great survivors of Malaysian politics, our correspondent adds. | |
| Mr Anwar is part of a broad coalition which includes moderates, Islamists and Malaysians of Chinese descent. | |
| Mr Anwar once served as deputy prime minister under the National Front, but fell out with former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1998. | |
| He was jailed for misuse of power for six years, and charged with sodomy twice - although on both occasions he was cleared. | |
| He has described the charges as politically motivated. |