SUNGKAI (Jan 12): The Malaysian plantation district of Sungkai has become an initial - and unlikely - battleground for an election that embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to call this year.

Sungkai is home to ethnic Malays who work for the national palm plantation operator, Federal Land Development Authority (Felda). Known as "Felda settlers", they have long been among the beneficiaries of government affirmative action programmes for Malays, who form the majority of the population.

The Felda settlers have been a rock solid vote bank for Mr Najib's ruling coalition, even as urban Malays have poured into the opposition camp in recent years, alienated by a series of political scandals.

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