Malaysians vote for ‘hope, stability’ in hotly contested election

A man casts his vote during the election at a polling station in Seberang Perai, Penang state [Photo/AP]

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Counting is under way in Malaysia after a hotly contested election dominated by the cost of living and the political infighting that has plagued the Southeast Asian nation for nearly three years.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob called the election early in a bid to restore “stability” after three prime ministers in almost as many years.