. >> and nhk world's daisuke azuma is back in tokyo. james tengan spo with hi rlier. >> malaysia is seeing a widening wealth gap. is that the biggest issue in this election? >> yes, many malaysians are unhappy with the situation. the difference are not just between ethnic groups. the difference is also within the groups, as we saw. another sort of difference is between the countryside and the city. kuala lumpur residents earn more than rural workers. politicians on both sides promise to deal with the problem. but the solutions are mostly the same. >> so how likely is it that the opposition party will secure a majority for the first time? >> the election will be close, but rather than the opposition gaining, it may be that ruling party -- since independence in 1957. during this time, the economy has expanded. but critics say there is too much corruption. on top of this, prices are rising. as a result, even ethnic malay are turning away from the party they have traditionally supported. at the same time, however, many people lack confidenc