FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT — The political machinery that has run Malaysia since independence in 1957 will face its toughest test at the upcoming elections, with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim well placed to increase his party’s hold at the national and state levels.

However, taking power from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition that it heads still appears unlikely. The incumbents maintain a foothold in Malaysia’s predominantly Muslim west, although their grip on Chinese, Indian and non-Islamic communities has weakened substantially.

Read more from Luke Hunt in The Diplomat.