Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has urged voters to oust the long-ruling government as tens of thousands of supporters gathered in a show of force ahead of a general election.
At least 50,000 people crowded yesterday into an iconic stadium in the capital Kuala Lumpur where independence was declared in 1957.
Tens of thousands more thronged surrounding areas as the opposition effectively kicked off its campaign.
"We plead for you to give us a chance so that the people's voices will become the voices of the leaders of this nation," Anwar told the crowds as he denounced what he called the government's misrule and corruption.
"The time has come to bury the unfairness of this government," he declared.
The National Front coalition has controlled Malaysia since independence from Britain. It was never seriously threatened until Anwar's opposition alliance handed the ruling bloc its worst election showing ever in 2008.