Malaysia elections, Indonesia prison riot, and other news in pictures

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak smiles after voting for the general election, at his hometown in Pekan, Pahang state, Malaysia on May 9, 2018. Malaysia's general elections slated for May 9, will determine if scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's coalition can extend nearly 61 years of unbroken rule against an unprecedented challenge led by the former strongman Mahathir Mohamad.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak smiles after voting for the general election, at his hometown in Pekan, Pahang state, Malaysia on May 9, 2018. Malaysia's general elections slated for May 9, will determine if scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's coalition can extend nearly 61 years of unbroken rule against an unprecedented challenge led by the former strongman Mahathir Mohamad.   | Photo Credit: AP

 

10:30 am

Malaysians vote in election defined by graft scandal, tax

People take smartphones photos through the window glasses of Former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad showing his finger that is marked in ink after voting for the general election in Alor Setar, state capital of Kedah, northern Malaysia on May 9, 2018. Voting is underway Wednesday in a fiercely contested Malaysian election that pits an opposition led by former authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad against the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose image has been battered by corruption allegations and an unpopular goods and services tax.

People take smartphones photos through the window glasses of Former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad showing his finger that is marked in ink after voting for the general election in Alor Setar, state capital of Kedah, northern Malaysia on May 9, 2018. Voting is underway Wednesday in a fiercely contested Malaysian election that pits an opposition led by former authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad against the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose image has been battered by corruption allegations and an unpopular goods and services tax.   | Photo Credit: AP

 

Voting is underway on Wednesday in a fiercely contested Malaysian election that pits an opposition led by former authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad against the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose reputation has been battered by corruption allegations and an unpopular sales tax. Polling booths opened at 8 a.m. and long queues formed at some voting locations in Kuala Lumpur and other cities. Watched by election officials, voters at a polling station set up at a school in central Kuala Lumpur dipped a finger in purple ink before casting their votes.

9:30 am

Detainees, officers hurt in Indonesia prison riot

People walk as a police armoured vehicle passes a street near Mobile Police Brigade (Brimob) headquarters in Depok, Indonesia on May 9, 2018.

People walk as a police armoured vehicle passes a street near Mobile Police Brigade (Brimob) headquarters in Depok, Indonesia on May 9, 2018.   | Photo Credit: Reuters

 

A riot injured prisoners and some officers at a police detention center south of Indonesia’s capital, police said on Wednesday. None of those injured in the riot late on Tuesday was in serious condition, national police spokesman Mohammad Iqbal said outside the headquarters of the elite Mobile Brigade police in Depok, on Jakarta’s southern outskirts, where the riot occurred. Some from both sides were injured he said, but didn’t give a number and refused to provide more details except to say no one died.

8:30 am

Leaders of Japan, China, S.Korea agree to cooperate on N.Korea

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (left) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (centre) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in (right) pose for photographers prior to their summit in Tokyo on May 9, 2018. The summit is expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program and on improving the sometimes-frayed ties among the three northeast Asian neighbors.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (left) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (centre) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in (right) pose for photographers prior to their summit in Tokyo on May 9, 2018. The summit is expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear program and on improving the sometimes-frayed ties among the three northeast Asian neighbors.   | Photo Credit: AP

 

China, Japan and South Korea agreed on Wednesday to cooperate on ending North Korea’s nuclear program and promoting free trade, two hot-button issues challenging their region. The agreements came at the first summit for the Northeast Asian neighbours after a hiatus of more than two years, bringing together Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Mr. Abe said they discussed how they can get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, but he didn’t provide any details. China and Japan, in particular, have differences over how best to achieve North Korea’s nuclear disarmament.