At the same time, and despite his calls for a harmonious "One Malaysia, " the prime minister has placated his party's ethnic Malay base by protecting pro-Malay affirmative action in government, business and education.

WSJ: Joseph Chinyong Liow: Malaysia's Doppelganger Election

Affirmative action that favours the Malay majority (also known as the Bumiputra) in business, jobs and education has resulted in a flight of capital and talent.

BBC: Economy key in Malaysia's tightest poll

Fueling their latent sense of discontent is the National Development Policy (previously known as the New Economic Policy), a long-established affirmative-action program that gives preferential treatment to indigenous Malays over other races in business, education and other fields.

CNN: THE CHINESE CONNECTION