Longtime opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's coalition is forecast to win the greatest number of parliamentary seats but may fail to seize the majority needed to form a government as he faces off against blocs led by caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin.
Without a clear winner, political uncertainty could persist as Malaysia faces slowing economic growth and rising inflation. It has had three prime ministers in as many years.