KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has declared May 9 a public holiday to enable voters to cast their ballots in tightly contested general elections.
The surprise move is seen as a bid to ease public anger a day after the Election Commission announced that voting will be held on a workday, departing from the norm of having it on a weekend. Critics have said the weekday vote plus a shorter campaign period could lower voter turnout and dent support for the opposition.
Najib's office said Wednesday that May 9 will be a public holiday so that some 15 million voters can exercise their right.
Najib is seeking a third term in office and under pressure to improve his ruling coalition's performance after support eroded in the last two elections.
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.