Malaysia, with Asia's longest serving leader at the helm, has steered a course that has elicited both criticism and praise from the international community.

While Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has overseen incredible economic growth, the government has been accused of repressing political opposition, weakening the judiciary and imposing press restrictions.

In June Mahathir tearfully declared his intention to resign and agreed to hand power to his current deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in 2003.