Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said those who downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 must be brought to justice, as he made his first official visit to Malaysia on Thursday.

Poroshenko was officially welcomed by Indonesian Prime Minister Najib Razak at a welcoming ceremony in Putrajaya, just south of the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The two leaders engaged in a bilateral meeting discussing various issues, including the MH17 airplane tragedy, before giving a news conference in which both stressed the need to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 was shot down over war-ravaged eastern Ukraine, killing 298 people on 17 July 2014.

President Poroshenko is due to leave Malaysia on Friday for the next stage of his Asian trip, when he will leave for Jakarta, Indonesia.

Putrajaya - 4 August 2016

1. Various of Malaysian Honour Guard

2. Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko, and Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, listening to national athem

3. Poroshenko leaving platform

4. Media

5. Various of Poroshenko inspecting honour guard

6. Najib and Poroshenko arriving at news conference

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"We are also committed to finding out the truth (of what happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17), and to make sure that justice is done and seen to be done, and on this basis we are awaiting for the criminal investigation report that is expected to be tabled towards the end of this year."

8. Najib and Proroshenko at news conference

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Petro Poroshenko, Ukranian President:

"We confirm our common stance on need to complete investigation of the flight MH17. This tragedy, and I'm absolutely sure we engage all the possible means to bring the perpetrators to justice."

10. Various of Poroshenko and Najib at bilateral meeting

11. Various of Poroshenko greeting Malaysian officials

12. Ukrainian and Malaysian flags

13. Photo of handshake between Najib and Poroshenko

The Malaysian Australian Business council and the Australian High Commission organised a reception on Sunday for visiting Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Abbot said Australian businesses must venture out in order to gain opportunities abroad, including in Malaysia.

He also said the way Australia and Malaysia "have worked so well together" in addressing the twin tragedies of flights MH370 and MH17 has strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

The ongoing search efforts for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 were high on the agenda during Abbott's visit.

Malaysia aims to send a search team to the crash site in Ukraine of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 before winter sets in to gather physical evidence to prove that it was shot down, Prime Minister Najib Razak has said.

The plane plunged from the sky on July 17, killing all on board, while flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur over an area of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia separatists.

Searches of the crash site were halted on August 6 due to concerns that fighting in the immediate area was a threat.

AP TELEVISION

1. Tracking Prime Minister Abbott arriving at reception

2. Wide reception guest

2. Wide Prime Minister Abbott going on stage

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister

"We want our business to be going out to the world, because wherever there is a dollar to be made, wherever there is an innovation to be put into place, I want Australia to be there."

4. Mid of podium

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister

"The twin tragedies, or the tragedy of MH370 and the atrocity of MH17, but the way our two countries have worked so well together in addressing these issues reflects the underlying strengths of our relationship, which has been getting better and better over the last five or six decades "

6. Mid of Abbott talking to participants

7. Abbott talking to participant

8. Wide of the event hall

9. Mid of Abbott posing for photo opportunity with participants

The leader of the pro-Russian rebels has agreed to hand over both black boxes from Flight MH 17 to Malaysian investigators who are in Ukraine, Malaysia's prime minister said early Tuesday.

Prime Minister Najib Razak also said that as part of an agreement he reached by phone with rebel leader Alexander Borodai on Monday evening, independent international investigators will be given "safe access" to the site where the Malaysia Airlines jet went down in eastern Ukraine en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, killing all 298 people onboard.

Najib said that as part of the agreement, the black boxes would be handed over to the Malaysian team in Donetsk at 9 p.m. Monday Ukraine time (1800 GMT Monday).

Meanwhile, the remains of 282 of the crash victims were being moved by train from the eastern Ukrainian city of Torez to Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, Najib said.

From there, they will be flown to Amsterdam on a Dutch C130 Hercules military plane and handed over to Dutch authorities.

"I must stress that although an agreement has been reached, there remain a number of steps required before it is completed," Najib said at a hastily arranged news conference at his residence just after midnight Monday.

"There is work still to be done, work which relies on continued communication in good faith."

The Boeing 777 crashed in rebel-held territory, and the separatists are being blamed for shooting it down by much of the international community, including the United States.

Najib said that following any necessary forensic work, the remains of the 43 Malaysian citizens who were aboard the plane would be flown to their home country.

Anger and resentment toward the Russian-backed rebels and Moscow have been escalating worldwide, including in Malaysia, where there have been calls for economic sanctions against Russia.

AP TELEVISION

1. Wide of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak walking in to news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"At approximately 9pm tonight Ukraine time (1800 GMT) the two black boxes will be handed over to a Malaysian team in Donetsk, who will take custody of them."

3. Wide of Razak speaking

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"I must stress that although agreement has been reached, there remain a number of steps required before it is completed. There is work still to be done, work which relies on continued communication in good faith."

5. Cutaway of reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"I ask that all parties continue to work together to ensure that this agreement is honoured and the remains of our people are returned, that the black box is handed over, and that the international team is guaranteed full access to the site. Only then can the investigation into MH17 truly begin; only then can the victims be afforded the respect they deserve."

7. Media at the news conference

8. Wide of Razak speaking

The Malaysian Parliament held a moment of silence on Wednesday for the people killed aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

All 298 people on board the plane were killed when it was shot down on Thursday in eastern Ukraine.

At the beginning of the session, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak addressed lawmakers and condemned "the inhumane, uncivilised, violent and irresponsible action" that led to the tragedy.

The session was also attended by the Russian Ambassador to Malaysia, Lyudmila Vorobyev.

The investigation over who is responsible for the tragedy is underway.

Western governments have accused pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine of shooting down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 with a surface-to-air missile while it was flying at 33-thousand feet (10-thousand metres).

AP TELEVISION

1. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (pink shirt) going through security as he enters Malaysian Parliament building

2. Malaysian Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein (pink tie) entering building and shaking hands with security officer

3. Pan from media to Hussein

4. Russian Ambassador to Malaysia, Lyudmila Vorobyev. sitting inside parliament

5. Razak entering room shaking hands with member of parliament

6. Close of Razak

7. Various of lawmakers observing moment of silence

8. SOUNDBITE (Malaysian) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"These honourable members of the parliament are here to firmly condemn in the strongest terms the inhumane, uncivilised, violent and irresponsible action of the parties believed to have shot down flight MH17, resulting in the loss of 298 lives comprising of 283 passengers and 15 crew who were innocent."

9. Various of lawmakers

10. Wide pan of parliament

The Malaysian Prime Minister said on Thursday that it would be impossible to bring home the bodies of the Malaysian victims of the crashed Malaysia Airlines plane before the end of the month of Ramadan.

Najib Razak made his comments during a visit to the Dutch Ambassador's residence in Kuala Lumpur.

After signing a book of condolence at the residence, Razak stated that the body identification process and the forensic works could take weeks, or even months.

The first flight with body remains arrived on Dutch soil on Wednesday.

Razak also said he was angry that investigators still did not have full access to the crash site.

While the Dutch Ambassador Harry Molenaar said that after the bodies were returned home, they would like to see justice.

AP TELEVISION

1. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak walking through the Dutch ambassador's house , with the ambassador and others

2. Razak signing condolence book

3. Harry Molenaar, Dutch Ambassador to Malaysia looking on

4. Various of Razak signing condolence book

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia:

"It is expected that this whole process will take weeks, it might even be months, we are not sure yet. But the people on the ground have informed me that it cannot be done before Raya (celebration day after the end of Holy Ramadan month). So, it is with much regret that I have to inform the families concerned. But this is not only a legal and technical requirement, but we want to give the dignity to the families concerned."

6. Message written by Razak in condolence book

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia:

"Yes, I am angry and I want full access because it is unfortunately it is a war zone and you know a war zone, there are many constraints and not only having access but the safety of those people (investigators) that must be, both sides must respect the safety of the people. So, it is not as straight forward as it sounds, we are doing our level best and I will be making some effort to see that this will be respected by both sides."

8. Pull focus candle

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Harry Molenaar, Dutch Ambassador to Malaysia:

"We would like to see justice. At the first step, priority was to get the bodies back. The second step is to get justice to what has happened to these people."

10. Card outside the Dutch ambassador's house reading (English) "Tributes to the soul of MH17"

11. Card outside the Dutch ambassador's house reading (English) "Our Heartfelt Condolences #MH17"

12. Flowers and cards outside the Dutch ambassador's house

The Premier of the State Council of China, Li Keqiang, was welcomed by Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak at his headquarters in Putrajaya on Monday with a guard of honour.

Li was on his first official visit to Malaysia as premier following his attendance of the two day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumur, which wrapped up on Sunday.

The pair held a bilateral meeting, as well a joint news conference at which Li Keqiang stressed government support for Chinese companies investing in Malaysia.

He also welcomed Malaysia companies investing in China, as well as pledging 20 million Australian dollars (approx 14-million US dollars) to the search for missing Malaysian airliner MH370.

The Premier of the State Council of China, Li Keqiang, was welcomed by Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak at his headquarters in Putrajaya on Monday with a guard of honour.

Li was on his first official visit to Malaysia as premier following his attendance of the two day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumur, which wrapped up on Sunday.

The pair held a bilateral meeting, as well a joint news conference at which Li Keqiang stressed government support for Chinese companies investing in Malaysia.

He also welcomed Malaysia companies investing in China, as well as pledging 20 million Australian dollars (approx 14-million US dollars) to the search for missing Malaysian airliner MH370.

AP TELEVISION

Putrajaya - 23 November 2015

1. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak showing Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to front of podium

2. Wide of guard of honour

3. Cutaway of media

4. Li Keqiang inspecting guard of honour

5. Li Keqiang greeting officials

6. Li Keqiang and Najib Razak walking on red carpet

7. Li Keqiang and officials at round table meeting

8. Photographer

9. Wide of officials sitting down for bilateral talks

10. Mid of Li Keqiang

11. Li Keqiang and Najib Razak standing behind officials as the sign memorandums of understanding

12. Officials shaking hands and exchanging documents

13. Li Keqiang and Najib Razak stepping up for news conference

14. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Li Keqiang, Premier of State Council of China:

"The Chinese government will support Chinese companies to increase investment in the Kuantan industrial park and the Malaca Maritime industrial park. At the same time we welcome Malaysian companies to invest in China."

15. Camera viewfinder

16. Wide of news conference

17. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Li Keqiang, Premier of State Council of China:

"China wants to enhance connectivity with Malaysia, and China is interested in participating in the construction of the double track railway project in Malaysia as well as the double rail link in Singapore. The Chinese government will also contribute 20 million Australian dollars and one search vessel for the search for the missing MH370."

18. Li Keqiang and Najib Razak leaving

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott arrived in Putrajaya on Saturday where he was welcomed by his Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak.

Abbott was in Malaysia's administrative city, 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, for a one-day visit following a visit to India.

The ongoing search efforts for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 were high on the agenda during Abbott's visit.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to continue the search until what was left of the missing aircraft is found.

They also discussed bilateral issues, including strengthening trade ties between the two countries and regional security.

AP TELEVISION

1. Wide exterior of Malaysian Prime Minister's Office

2. Various of honour guard at ceremony welcoming Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

3. Abbot and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arriving at ceremony

4. Wide of ceremony

5. Australian flag waving

6. Abbott inspecting honour guard

7. Media filming ceremony

8. Abbott and Najib shaking hands and posing for the camera

9. Abbott and Najib entering bilateral meeting

10. Wide of meeting

11. Abbott and Australian delegation at meeting

12. Abbott and Najib entering news conference

13. Abbott and Najib at podium

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister:

"We will not give up until we have found what's left of flight MH370."

15. Photographers at news conference

16. Abbott and Najib at podium

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister:

"Within a fortnight a new phase of the search will begin using the best available technology. And that search will continue until all that is humanly possible to be done has been done to scour the probable impact zone."

18. Abbott and Najib at podium

19. Abbott and Najib shaking hands and leaving news conference

The crash of the MH17 flight in eastern Ukraine was high on the agenda on Wednesday as the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte met his Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak, in Putrajaya.

Rutte, who is on a one-day official visit to Malaysia, led a Dutch delegation to bilateral meetings with their Malaysian counterparts.

Speaking at a joint news conference after the talks, Rutte said Dutch investigators have again gained access to the crash site and have recovered an unspecified number of human remains.

He added that Malaysia should be allowed to take part in the crash investigation operation.

The plane went down above a rebel-held area on July 17, killing all 298 passengers and crew, most of them Dutch.

To date, 284 victims have been identified.

Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpur have strong economic ties, as Netherlands is the second largest Eurozone investor in Malaysia.

AP TELEVISION

Putrajaya, Malaysia - 5 November 2014

1. Malaysian Prime Minister's office with white marquees erected ahead of ceremony

2. Mid of photographers

3. Various of soldiers taking part in parade

4. Cutaway of photographers

5. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (left on screen) and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, watching parade

6. Rutte inspecting guard

7. Mid of Najib Razak and Rutte shaking hands

8. Najib Razak and Rutte arriving at bilateral meeting

9. Dutch delegation at meeting

10. Wide of meeting

11. Malaysian delegation at meeting

12. Rutte and Najib Razak walking onto stage

13. Cutaway of media

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Rutte, Netherlands Prime Minister:

"Last week and yesterday conditions allowed a small team to visit the crash site, they found remains of victims which will be transferred to the Netherlands following the usual ceremonial protocol and we will continue to take every opportunity to go to the site."

15. Cutaway of conference

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Rutte, Netherlands Prime Minister:

"In the view of the Netherlands as I would also state here today, it makes total sense for Malaysia to be a full part of the criminal investigation team."

17. Cutaway of conference

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister.

"We have to ascertain what truly happened to the plane beyond any doubt whatsoever. We have knowledge, we have preliminary knowledge, but that knowledge has to be backed with solid forensic evidence."

19. Rutte and Najib Razak ending presser

The Malaysian jetliner missing for more than a week had its communications deliberately disabled and its last signal came about seven and a half hour after takeoff, meaning it could have ended up as far as Kazakhstan or deep in the southern Indian Ocean, Malaysia's leader said on Saturday.

Prime Minister Najib Razak's statement confirmed days of mounting speculation that the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 was not accidental, and underlined the massive task for searchers who have been scouring vast areas of ocean.

"Despite media reports that the plane was hijacked, I wish to be very clear - we are still investigating all possibilities as to what caused MH370 to deviate from its original path," Najib said.

"In view of this latest development, the Malaysian authorities have refocused their investigation into the crew and passengers on board," Najib added, stressing they were still investigating all possibilities as to why the plane deviated so drastically from its original flight path.

The plane was carrying 239 people when it departed for an overnight flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing at 00:40 local time, on March 8 (16:40 GMT on March 7).

The plane's communications with civilian air controllers were severed at about 01:20 local time (17:30 GMT), and the jet went missing in one of the most puzzling mysteries in modern aviation history.

Najib said investigators now had a high degree of certainly that one of the plane's communications systems - the Aircraft and Communications Addressing and Reporting System - was disabled before the aircraft reached the east coast of Malaysia.

Shortly afterwards, someone on board then switched off the aircraft's transponder, which communicates with civilian air traffic controllers.

The prime minister then confirmed that Malaysian air force defence radar picked up traces of the plane turning back westwards, crossing over Peninsular Malaysia into the northern stretches of the Strait of Malacca.

Authorities had previously said this radar data could not be verified.

He then said the last confirmed signal between the plane and a satellite came at 08:11 local time, 7 hours and 31 minutes after takeoff.

Airline officials have said the plane had enough fuel to fly for up to about eight hours.

Najib said authorities had determined that the plane's last communication with a satellite was in one of two possible "corridors" - a northern one from northern Thailand through to the border of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, and a southern one from Indonesia to the southern Indian Ocean.

He said that searching in the South China Sea, where the plane first lost contact with air traffic controllers, would be ended.

The current search involves 14 countries, 43 ships and 58 aircraft.

AP TELEVISION

1. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak entering news briefing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"Based on new satellite communication, we can say with a high degree of certainty that the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System, or ACARS, was disabled just before the aircraft reached the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Shortly afterwards, near the border, between Malaysia and Vietnamese air traffic control the aircraft's transponder was switched off.

3. Wide of news conference ++MUTE++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"From this point onwards the Royal Malaysian Air Force's primary radar data showed that an aircraft, which was believed, but not confirmed, to be MH370 did indeed turn back. It then flew in a westerly direction back over Peninsular Malaysia before turning north west. Up until the point at which it left military primary radar coverage, these movements are consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane."

5. Photographers ++MUTE++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"Despite media reports that the plane was hijacked, I wish to be very clear - we are still investigating all possibilities as to what caused MH370 to deviate from its original path."

7. Photographers ++MUTE++

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"Based on this new data the aviation authorities of Malaysia and their international counterparts have determined that the plane's last communication with a satellite was in one of two possible corridors. A northern corridor stretching approximately from the border of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to northern Thailand. Or a southern corridor stretching approximately from Indonesia to (the) southern Indian Ocean. The investigation team is working to further refine the information."

9. Wide of news conference ++MUTE++

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Najib Razak, Malaysian Prime Minister:

"In view of this latest development the Malaysian authorities have refocused their investigation into the crew and passengers on board."

11. Wide of news conference ++MUTE++

12. Prime minister leaving news conference.

SHOTLIST

29 April 2013

1. Wide of Petronas Twin Towers

22 April 2013

2. Pan right from street to shop

3. Close up sign written (Malay): TUKAR, Transformasi Kedai Runcit (TUKAR, Grocery Store Transformation)

4. Wide of Syahadad Husin looking at computer screen inside his shop

5. Close up of Husin

6. Goods on shelves in Husin's shop

7. Wide of Husin doing stock check

8. SOUNDBITE: (Malay) Syahadad Husin, shopkeeper:

"All of us must support the government because of what the government has genuinely done to help us."

9. Various of Ng Sek San planting colourful flags on grassy roundabout

10. Close up of colourful flags

11. SOUDNBITE (English) Ng Sek San, Landscape Architect:

"It's a very literal interpretation of what spring is. In a temperate climate you've got four seasons. When you change from dark, cold winter days into spring, everything becomes brighter and everybody gets more excited."

24 April 2013

12. Pan from street to Barisan Nasional (National Front) campaign post

13. Medium of banner showing picture of Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak, reading (Malay): "The right leader for One Malaysia. Vote for Barisan Nasional"

22 April 2013

14. Various of Ng Sek San planting flags

15.SOUDNBITE: (English) Ng Sek San, Landscape Architect:

"Change has already taken place, whether we like it or not. A regime change, I guess, is important because the present regime has probably ruled for so long, and it's no secret that people are unhappy with a lot of things."

16. Various of student Joy Gracia Liso looking at her laptop

17. Reverse shot of Liso looking at facebook page

18.SOUNDBITE: (English) Joy Gracia Liso, student:

"Because everyone that I know goes back, at least they go back to Penang or Johor, even my roommate is going back, and to see them being able to go back, it kind of like envy me (made me envious), kind of made me like 'what am I doing here? Why can't I go back?' Especially that is my land, and this land is being, you know, manipulated in so many ways, why can't I be in that part. Now that I get the funds to go back, I just can't wait (to vote)."

19. Wide of Liso looking at paintings

STORYLINE

Malaysians face a stark choice on Sunday in their most hotly contested general elections ever: Stick with what they know, a long-ruling coalition accused of corruption, or take a chance on an untested opposition.

Some of the Southeast Asian nation's 13.3 (m) million eligible voters believe the National Front, which has dominated politics since independence from Britain in 1957, must be ousted to cleanse the government. They are rallying behind opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Supporters of incumbent Prime Minister Najib Razak respond that change is too risky and unnecessary.

A five-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur's ceaselessly photographed Petronas Twin Towers, where a street-level mall lures shoppers and tourists to sparkling boutiques run by brands like Chanel and Gucci, Syahadad Husin smiles and nods at visitors to a grocery shop owned by his family in one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods.

The Malaysian entrepreneur's store is tiny, his customers are far from well-heeled and his shelves are stocked mainly with canned sardines and 30-cent packets of instant noodles.

He represents the kind of voter that the National Front has targeted the most by offering state-funded help. This year, Syahadad's profits nearly doubled after he participated in a government programme to help small businesses by providing them with cheap loans and free professional advice on managing their operations more efficiently.

"All of us must support the government because of what the government has genuinely done to help us," Syahadad said, echoing the ubiquitous message that the National Front is pushing through TV and radio commercials, highway billboards, full-page newspaper advertisements, glossy pamphlets stuffed into mailboxes and cellphone text messages.

The publicity blitz also warns that the opposition cannot be trusted to rule. The National Front says that if its rivals win, foreign investors will eventually flee Malaysia and leave the country in financial tatters.

But for landscape architect Ng Sek San and most opposition supporters, the theme that really resonates is "change".

Ng Sek San has earned praise for his work in Malaysian hotels and parks, but he considers his latest initiative,called the "Malaysian Spring," to be among his most ambitious.

The volunteer movement that he and his friends introduced through Facebook this past month has prompted residents of Kuala Lumpur's suburbs to hand-produce and plant tens of thousands of colourful miniature flags in grassy sidewalks and playgrounds, symbolising their hope for a fresh political start.

"It's a very literal interpretation of what spring is," Ng said in an interview at his office and gallery, which showcases his designs and works by Malaysian artists. "When you change from dark, cold winter days into spring, everything becomes brighter and everybody gets more excited."

The movement has attracted mainly middle-class Malaysians such as Ng, who feel strongly about clean government. For decades, most voters were content to let the long-ruling National Front coalition lead, as Malaysia steadily evolved from a backwater of rubber plantations, tin mines, fishing villages and rice paddies into an industrialised country that manufactures microchips and solar panels and even boasted the world's tallest building - the gleaming 88-story Petronas Twin Towers - for nearly six years.

Now a growing bank of educated middle class voters is tiring of widely alleged corruption and accusations that the National Front has become bloated with self-serving politicians who enrich themselves and their business friends.

Thanks to the internet, such perceptions have spread in recent years, as independent news websites and bloggers investigate government contracts and the use of public funds.

"A regime change, I guess, is important because the present regime has probably ruled for so long, and it's no secret that people are unhappy with a lot of things," Ng said.

Joy Gracia Liso is one of more than 2 (m) million people who are registered to vote for the first time. The opposition hopes these new voters in particular will feel bold enough about handing a five-year mandate to its candidates.

Walking through a campus hall that will host her graduation ceremony in October, Liso says she's more excited about voting than getting her degree in teaching.

Her father, a retired policeman, helped her raise 350 ringgit (115 US dollars) - a month's living expenses for her - to buy a flight ticket so that she can return to her home state in Borneo to vote. Liso is making the extra effort partly because she feels the odds are stacked unfairly in favour of the National Front.

She says that her rural relatives in the Kelabit indigenous tribe have told her they had received money in exchange for supporting National Front candidates in previous elections. The ruling coalition has long denied claims that it buys or tampers with votes in closely fought constituencies.

For many opposition supporters, the alleged dirty tactics depict the difference between a ruling coalition that's desperate to avoid losing and an opposition that's largely untested - but also untainted.