Malaysia Makes Election A Public Holiday After Outcry
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published April 11, 2018 | 04:05 PM
Malaysia's general election next month will be a public holiday, the prime minister's office said Wednesday, after the decision to hold it on a weekday sparked allegations the scandal-plagued government was seeking to tilt the poll in its favour.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Apr, 2018 ) :Malaysia's general election next month will be a public holiday, the prime minister's office said Wednesday, after the decision to hold it on a weekday sparked allegations the scandal-plagued government was seeking to tilt the poll in its favour.
Prime Minister Najib Razak is battling to retain power, facing a tough test due to a massive financial scandal and a challenge from veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad. Authorities had announced that the closely-fought poll would be on May 9, a Wednesday, the first time a general election has been held on a weekday since 1999.
The move, along with a short campaigning period, sparked anger on social media and allegations from the opposition that the government was seeking a low turnout, fearful large voter numbers would go against them.
As anger mounted, the Prime Minister's Office put out a statement announcing the poll would be a public holiday to allow people to vote. Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which has been in power for six decades, has seen its popularity wane in recent years, a slide further compounded by a multi billion-dollar scandal surrounding state fund 1MDB.
He is still tipped to win due to BN's firm grip on Malaysia's weakened institutions, and what critics claim are efforts by the government to rig the election through gerrymandering and other forms of cheating.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From World
-
Paris landmark Moulin Rouge's windmill sails collapse
9 minutes ago -
Ahead of feared Rafah invasion, Palestinians mourn bombardment dead
9 minutes ago -
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains cause floods, landslides: PM
9 minutes ago -
Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show
9 minutes ago -
Chinese defense minister to attend SCO meeting in Kazakhstan
19 minutes ago -
China-Bangladesh to hold joint military exercise in May
29 minutes ago
-
Residents protest as Venice launches five-euro entry fee
39 minutes ago -
Portugal marks 50 years of democracy with far right on rise
59 minutes ago -
Pakistan envoy visits TomatoWorld in Netherlands
1 hour ago -
Chinese defense minister to attend SCO meeting in Kazakhstan
1 hour ago -
China, Pakistan should engage in greater counter-terrorism cooperation to combat hostile forces: Khu ..
1 hour ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
1 hour ago