Malaysia Election

Facing a raft of domestic issues, can Malaysia's government weather a growing opposition onslaught to win the elections?

In Malaysia, the 13th general election has been called by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak after a year-long speculation.

More than 13 million Malaysians will go to the polls on May 5. This is the first time that the ruling party has gone through the full five-year term before dissolving parliament.

Critics claim that the ruling coalition has lacked confidence to face the electorate on several contentious issues. It faces growing anger due to rising racial and religious tensions, allegations of corruption involving its leaders directly or indirectly, the rising cost of living, police brutality, continued detention without trial and the awarding of scholarships to students based on racial quota and not merit.

Even though this will be the 13 national election in Malaysia the reality is that one political party and only one political party has controlled government since gaining independence from Great Britain in 1965 the  

United Malays National Organisation

The United Malays National Organisation (New),(abbreviated as UMNO) (Malay: Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu (Baru)) isMalaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence.

The UMNO emphasizes as its foundation the struggle to uphold the aspirations of Malay nationalism and the dignity of race, religion and country.^[2] The party also aspires to protect the Malay culture as the national culture and to uphold, defend and expand Islam.

Even though opposition parties exist Malaysia like Singapore is a one party state.