(KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia) — Malaysians face a stark choice Sunday in their most hotly contested general elections ever: Stick with what they know, a long-ruling coalition accused of corruption, or take a chance on an untested opposition. Some of the Southeast Asian nation's 13.3 million eligible voters believe the National Front, which has dominated politics since independence from Britain in 1957, must be ousted to cleanse the government. They are rallying behind opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Supporters of incumbent Prime Minister Najib Razak respond that change is too risky and unnecessary. (MORE: Malaysia PM Dissolves Parliament to Hold Elections) Here is a look at this closely watched election through the eyes of three voters: — NG SEK SAN, 50, Landscape Architect Ng Sek San has earned praise for his work in Malaysian hotels and parks, but he considers his latest initiative, the "Malaysian Spring," to be among his most ambitious. The volunteer movement that he and his friends introduced through Facebook this past month has prompted residents of Kuala Lumpur's suburbs to hand-produce and plant tens of thousands of colorful miniature flags in grassy sidewalks and playgrounds, symbolizing their hope for a fresh political start. "It's a very literal interpretation of what spring is," Ng said in an interview at his office and gallery, which showcases his designs and works by Malaysian artists. "When you change from dark, cold winter days into spring, everything becomes brighter and everybody gets more excited." The movement has attracted mainly middle-class Malaysians such as Ng, who feel strongly about clean government. For decades, most voters were content to let the National Front lead, as Malaysia steadily evolved from a backwater of rubber plantations, tin mines, fishing villages and rice paddies into an industrialized country that manufactures microchips and solar panels and even boasted the world's tallest building – the gleaming 88-story Petronas Twin Towers – for nearly six years. Now a growing bank of educated middle class voters is tiring of widely alleged corruption and accusations that the National Front has become bloated with(http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=world.time.com&blog=19871253&post=84968&subd=timeglobalspin&ref=&feed=1)
Via: TIME GlobalSpin