Malaysians went to the polls yesterday in a tiny, but crucial state by-election seen as a test for the political future of sacked former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Although not contesting, Anwar has thrown his weight behind the opposition candidate in a bitter and gruelling campaign against the powerful ruling national front coalition, or Barisan Nasional (BN), led by Prime Minster Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The weekend poll is seen as a litmus test of popularity for both sides ahead of a general election expected before 2009.
Polls opened amid tight security and light rain as voters lined up at nine polling stations in the tiny semi-rural constituency of Ijok, in central Selangor state.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is leading the ruling coalition's campaign in Ijok, visited one of the polling stations in a last-minute pitch for votes.
"I am happy, it looks good. Early signs shows that it is encouraging," a beaming Najib said.
An ethnic Indian construction worker, E. Elango, 52, said he backed the ruling coalition as they could bring development to the sleepy town.
"It [the BN] can help the people with infrastructure development. The opposition cannot bring any development," he said.
Annuar Musa, BN chief in eastern Kelantan state, who joined Najib to canvass for votes, said the Malay-majority areas of Ijok traditionally supported the opposition.
"The previous national front candidate did not meet the expectations of the voters," Annuar said, referring to former state lawmaker K. Sivalingam, whose death earlier this month precipitated the by-election.
The Malaysian Indian Con-gress, part of the BN coalition, is fielding K. Parthiban, 38, as its Ijok candidate against the opposition People's Justice Party's, or Keadilan's, Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, 61.
The BN defeated Keadilan by 1,649 votes in the state in the 2004 general election.
"Anwar is not a factor in this election. He can be in politics but it's not a threat to the government," Annuar said.
"We are worried about the undercurrent of the Malay sentiment in the four polling centers with Malay-majority," he said.
The constituency has 12,372 voters, 52 percent of whom are ethnic Malays, with 28 percent ethnic Indians and 21 percent Chinese.
The campaigning period was marred by scuffles between supporters from rival camps. The area has since been reinforced with 1,000 policemen and roadblocks at all entry and exit points.
As voting got underway, supporters of both parties were seen taunting each other, only to be separated by security forces.
"It's frightening to see such a big number of policemen," voter Saidah Saliman, 53, said after casting her vote.
"I support Anwar's struggle to fight corruption. We need a strong opposition," Saidah said.
Anwar has campaigned for Keadilan, formally run by his wife, against the BN, which has dominated Malaysian politics since independence in 1957.
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