Seventeen percent of the respondents either declined or were unsure on the question, which Merdeka put forward for the first time to voters.

WSJ: Malaysians Turn Out in Record Numbers in Tight, Historic Election

"There is a high degree of uncertainty on the election outcome as large section of youth will be voting for the first time, " said Ibrahim Suffian, director at independent pollster Merdeka Center.

WSJ: Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak Dissolves Parliament, Paving Way for Elections

"There is a high degree of uncertainty on the election outcome, as a large section of youth will be voting for the first time, " said Ibrahim Suffian, the director at independent pollster Merdeka Center.

WSJ: Malaysia Prime Minister Faces Fresh Elections

"Merdeka Stadium, which they chose, is too close to the city centre and can create massive traffic jams and disrupt businesses, " federal police chief Ismail Omar was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

BBC: Malaysia: Police fire tear gas at banned rally

Opinion polls conducted by the respected Merdeka Centre (the latest were for June) gave the prime minister an approval rating of 64%, down from the high point of his popularity in the middle of 2010.

ECONOMIST: Malaysian politics

Merdeka Square by Kerry B.

CNN: RELIVING THE DAYS OF THE COUP