Similarly, the Bumiputera Affirmative Action Policy is regarded by many non-Malays as culturally divisive, a criticism which is echoed internationally by the U.S. government, the European Union, international organizations and others.

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Its pledges to unwind a decades-old race-based affirmative action policy designed to give a leg up to the majority ethnic-Malay population and reduce corruption have a strong appeal among mostly younger voters, analysts say.

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The opposition also has also pledged to unwind a race-based affirmative action policy designed to give a leg up to the majority ethnic-Malay population and to reduce corruption, changes that younger voters strongly support, analysts say.

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