Political stability may also lure business people and investment, including ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs.

CNN: HARD WORK AHEAD

When conflict broke out in 2009 with the Kokang, an ethnic-Han-Chinese minority, 37, 000 people fled to China, provoking sharp criticism of the Burmese junta.

ECONOMIST: Myanmar

In Singapore, where there are large numbers of people from Chinese, Malay and Indian backgrounds, all three ethnic groups have seen a dramatic rise in short-sightedness.

BBC: Massive rise in Asian eye damage

So the main opposition challenge may be the internal one of holding together a coalition that includes the Islamist party PAS as well as ethnic Chinese and Indian parties and the urban liberals of Mr. Anwar's People's Justice Party.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: Malaysia's Road to Democracy

More than half its people are Han Chinese, but the area is home to more than 40 different ethnic groupings, including Tibetans, Hui and Mongols.

CNN: Chinese rescuers impeded by earthquake damage

He has worked to bridge divisions within the opposition, which includes the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, his own People's Justice Party and the Democratic Action Party, which mostly appeals to ethnic Chinese voters, and to turn the loose alliance into an effective campaign machine.

WSJ: Malaysia's Fresh Elections Offer Striking Choice

The opposition coalition made up of the Pan Islamic Party, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's moderate People's Justice Party and the Democratic Action Party that mostly draws support from the ethnic Chinese minority hopes to ride to victory on voter disenchantment.

WSJ: Malaysia Chooses May 5 for Expected Tight Election

But the opposition coalition made up of the Pan Islamic Party, Anwar Ibrahim's moderate People's Justice Party and the Democratic Action Party that mostly draws support from the ethnic Chinese minority hopes to ride on voter disenchantment with National Front administration to victory.

WSJ: Malaysia Sets May 5 for Expected Tight Election