Malaysia goes to polls in crucial general election

KUALA LUMPUR (Xinhua) - Malaysians started going to polls on Sunday in the closest general election ever-held in the country.

Some 13.3 million registered voters are set to choose between another five years under the Barisan Nasional, which has been in power since the country's independence in 1957, and a historical regime change by bringing the opposition People's Alliance in power.

A total of 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state legislation seats are contested.

The Barisan Nasional, led by Prime Minister Najib Razak, has vowed to regain the two-third parliamentary majority that it lost in the last general election in 2008.

On the other hand, the People's Alliance, led by former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is eyeing a step forward after delivering a biggest setback in decades to the Barisan in 2008.

Last survey suggested a close race between the two sides.

The preliminary election results are expected to be announced by late Sunday at the earliest.