'Malaysia election will be close' says former prime minister

A general election in Malaysia on Sunday could result in the first change of government since the country's independence 56 ago.

The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is credited with bringing economic development and political stability to Malaysia.

However with growing discontent over corruption and racial divisions, the opposition has been gaining ground.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohammad told the BBC's Jonathan Head it would be a closer election fight than in the past, but the idea of the opposition winning the poll was ''far-fetched''.