GE13 SPECIAL Less than one week before Malaysians cast their vote in what is arguably the most competitive election in history, the campaign has taken a worrying turn.

In what has been part of a no-holds-barred strategy, the use of fear and division has come to the fore, especially on the part of the BN.

It is thus important to highlight some of the underlying forces that are being mobilised in this fierce contest and shed light on the political and economic interests that support them.

Indeed, this election is bringing to the surface many of the challenges of transforming a political system that has fed on insecurity...