MALAYSIA: PM MAHATHIR FACING UMNO CHALLENGE

English/Nat Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad is facing his biggest challenge in 18 years as Malaysians go to the polls on Monday. Four anti-government groups have formed a coalition to capitalise on popular resentment sparked by the sacking and arrest of Anwar, Mahathir's longtime protege and deputy prime minister. Malaysia gained independence from British rule 42 years ago and has since been ruled by Barisan Nasional (National Front), or B-N. The party is an alliance of three parties and is headed by the United Malays National Organisation, UMNO, which was founded by Mahathir in 1946, at the age of 21. The other two parties, the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC) represent the other two major ethnic groups in Malaysia. Prior to the Asian financial crisis in 1997, Malaysia was enjoying a booming "economic miracle" enabling Mahathir to promote himself as the architect of Malaysia's new-found prosperity. The last general election in 1995 saw Mahathir face his first serious challenge to leadership when a member of his party, Tunku Razaleigh Hamzah, formed a separate faction. It called itself Semangat '46 - the year in which UMNO was founded. Semangat '46 then struck a pact with the mostly Chinese Democratic Action Party (DAP) and, separately, with the ultra conservative Parti Islam (PAS). They hoped to unseat the ruling B-N coalition or at least, deprive it of its crucial two-thirds majority which allows it the power to amend the constitution. It's been Mahathir's measuring stick for electoral success. Mahathir's subsequent landslide victory signalled Malaysia's unwillingness to upset the country's political and economic status quo. It also ilustrated Mahathir's tight hold on the country even in the face of a serious split in his party. But Monday's election come after Malaysia's political and economic landscape have changed considerably. The country is still recovering from the Asian financial crisis and Mahathir's credibility has come under embarrassing scrutiny. There was intense media scrutiny of the sodomy and corruption trial of Mahathir's jailed protege Anwar Ibrahim, who was once the country's number two leader. Once again, both the DAP and PAS have formed an alliance and put themselves behind the newly formed Party Keadilan Nasional (National Justice Party) led by Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. The four-party opposition coalition, Alternative Front, also comprises Anwar's National Justice Party and the Malaysian People's Party -- both of which represent Malays. But their chances of outright victory are still considered slim, with many in the opposition hoping to only upset UMNO's two-thirds majority in parliament. The UMNO propaganda machine has led an aggressive and extensive campaign since Mahathir dissolved parliament two weeks ago, signalling the snap election. Most of the political ads and news reports on Malaysia's upcoming general election are skewed toward the ruling coalition. Analysts say that the coverage is targeted at reeling in fence-sitting voters. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I think the Barisan Nasional itself has the machinery and we have the experience in running this election but at the same time, we have a charismatic leader such as Dr Mahathir, who will see us through." SUPER CAPTION: Azim Mohamad Zabidi, member of UMNO youth Mahathir wants to retain his two-thirds majority in Parliament to vindicate his treatment of Anwar. He also wants prove the loyalty of his party which boasts nearly three (m) million members and has dominated Malaysian politics for more than three decades. SOUNDBITE: (English) You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/1723e277e169ea9f7fc0726ca073ab06 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork