A woman votes during the general election in Alor Setar, Malaysia, on Wednesday. [Photo/Agencies] Polling stations closed in Malaysia on Wednesday at the end of a cliffhanger election that pitted Prime Minister Najib Razak's long-ruling coalition against a resurgent opposition led by 92-year-old former leader Mahathir Mohamad. The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition had met a fierce challenge brought by the opposition alliance - Pakatan Harapan, or the Alliance of Hope. The BN coalition had bet on generous handouts and the proven track record of the government to seek a third term, while Mahathir is calling for a change. Though most political analysts had favored the BN to win, the opposition seemed to have managed to raise concerns among voters on certain issues such as increasing living costs, adding uncertainties to the election. The Election Commission said that 69 percent of the roughly 15 million registered voters had cast their vote as of 3 pm, two hours before polls closed. Around 85 percent voted at the last election in 2013. Most results are expected before midnight but the count may spill into the early hours of Thursday. A simple majority of 112 parliament seats will produce a winner. On Wednesday, people swarmed to polling stations in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and around the country, which have been decorated with campaign posters and flags bearing the symbols of various political parties. At a polling station of Titiwangsa constituency in Kuala Lumpur, voter Ahmad Fizal said he hoped the candidate who wins could take the responsibility of the welfare of the area. I hope the candidate could help on the welfare of the people and the welfare of the region, no matter it's financial assistance, economic assistance or any other assistance, he said. Another voter, Syed Hasanuddin Bin Syed Abdullah, said he hoped the next government could do more to improve the society. We do tend to have a lot of issues, politically and in our social imbalance, we have ethnic diversity so I hope with this vote we will not have any differences between Malays, Chinese and Indians, that's a main thing, he said, referring to the three major ethnic groups in the country. The 11-day campaign period culminated on Tuesday. If BN were given a new mandate, we will make Malaysia even greater, said Najib, adding: BN is the party of the future, BN is the party for the future. The BN has won every election since the country's independence in 1957. The pre-election survey published by independent pollster Merdeka Center on Tuesday said BN was set to win 100 parliament seats nationwide and the opposition 83. With these numbers, neither camp would have the 112 seats required to rule and the result would hinge on 37 seats it said were too close to call. Xinhua and Reuters contributed to this story. rubber wristbandsinspirational rubber braceletsrubber braceletscheap custom wristbandsrubber band bracelets
BEIJING -- The second volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China has been popular at a press center for China's two sessions.The books have been taken away from the table very quickly, said an official with the press center, adding that a total of 600 copies were prepared, including 400 in Chinese and 200 in English.Clifford Coonan, China Bureau Chief of the Irish Times, said he is very interested in the book.The world is looking for information and insight into what Xi Jinping thinks and how he sees China going forward, said Coonan.I've read sections of the first book trying to gain insight into what direction China is taking, he said.The second volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China contains 99 of Xi's speeches, conversations, instructions and letters, as well as 29 photos of the Chinese leader from Aug 18, 2014 to Sept 29, 2017.Chinese and English versions of the book hit the market on Nov 7, 2017.The first book was published in September 2014, and about 6.6 million copies have been printed worldwide in 24 languages.Last year, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) wrote Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the Party Constitution.The annual sessions of the national legislature and top political advisory body this year are expected to discuss the implementation of Xi Jinping's thought and the spirit of the Party Congress.More than 3,000 reporters have registered to cover the events, including more than 1,000 from overseas, according to a statement from the press center. personalized rubber braceletsbest friend rubber braceletsrubber braceletscustom silicone braceletssilicone wristbands<%2fcenter>
