Many Malaysians in southern Thailand returned home yesterday (Friday) to cast their votes in a general election, after Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved parliament on October 10th.
The border checkpoint in Betong in Yala Province was busy, as was Hat Yai in Songkhla province, as tourists travelled home for the election on Sunday.
The election will be a three-way battle between the ruling National Front coalition, led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) of current Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the National Alliance Coalition, chaired by Muhyiddin Yassin, and the opposition coalition Hope Pact, led by Anwar Ibrahim.
The 15th general election is expected to calm political instability, seen in Malaysia since the last election in 2018, a period during which there have been three prime ministers.
Political parties and coalitions will compete for 222 federal seats, with 112 needed to form a government.
Young people voting for the first time hold the key to the election. There are 21.17 million eligible voters, including six million aged between 18 and 29.
In Malaysia, members of the lower house serve five-year terms, unless parliament is dissolved early.
