Campaigning starts in Malaysia's May 9 election race

Campaigning formally started Saturday for Malaysia's May 9 general elections that 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 nonagenarian former strongman Mahathir Mohamad.

Scores of election candidates submitted nomination papers at their home constituencies, paving the way for the start of an 11-day campaigning period.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, second from left, and his wife Rosmah Mansor wave to supporters while walking toward the election nomination center in Pekan, Pahang state, Malaysia, Saturday, April 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

Najib, escorted by hundreds of supporters waving party flags, filed his nomination in Pekan in central Pahang state. Mahathir, who was one of Asia's longest serving rulers for 22 years until his retirement in 2003, registered to run in the northern resort island of Langkawi.

About 15 million Malaysians will cast ballots to fill 222 seats in federal Parliament and choose representatives for 12 state legislatures.

"It is another test of Najib's survival. He has so far emerged unscathed in all the challenges presented to him in the last few years and this is the biggest one of all," said Rashaad Ali, research analyst with S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

Former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad, right, shakes hands with other candidates at the nomination center in Langkawi, Malaysia, Saturday, April 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Mahathir made a high-profile return to politics two years ago amid anger over a massive corruption scandal involving the 1MDB state fund, which is under investigation in the U.S. and other countries for allegations of cross-border embezzlement and money laundering. Najib set up and previously led the 1MDB fund when he took power in 2009 to promote economic development, but it accumulated billions in debt.

The U.S. Justice Department says at least $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB by associates of Najib and it is working to seize $1.7 billion allegedly taken from the fund to buy assets in the U.S.

A motorcycle passes by an election poster of former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad in downtown Langkawi, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Najib, who denies any wrongdoing, has taken an authoritarian bent since the scandal emerged by sacking critics in his government and muzzling the media. His National Front coalition currently holds 132 parliamentary seats after support eroded in the last two elections. It lost its supermajority in Parliament in 2008 and in 2013, it lost the popular vote for the first time to the opposition.

Mahathir now leads the four-party Hope Alliance, which currently holds about a third of parliamentary seats and controls two of Malaysia's 13 states.

Former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad meets with local community in Langkawi, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Analysts expect Najib, 64, to win a third term due to increased gerrymandering following recent electoral boundary changes, a buoyant economy and strong support from rural Malays, the bedrock of support for his coalition in a multi-racial nation that also includes ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

The opposition has not managed to gain much ground in eastern Sabah and Sarawak states on Borneo island, which account for a quarter of parliamentary seats.

Analysts say Najib has to win decisively to ward off challenges to his leadership ahead of year-end elections in his ruling Malay party.

Former Malaysian strongman Mahathir Mohamad speaks as he meets with local community in Langkawi, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Najib has extended cash handouts to civil servants and Malays, his key voting blocs, as he urged Malaysians to stick to the National Front "for a greater Malaysia." The economy grew 5.9 percent last year, its strongest in three years, but many Malaysians are upset with a rising cost of living partly due to an unpopular 6 percent goods and services tax introduced in 2015 to bolster government revenue.

Mahathir's opposition pact has promised to axe the goods and services tax and reopen investigations into the 1MDB scandal if it wins. It also pledged to clip the powers of the prime minister, revive a fuel subsidy and abolish tolls.

A small hut is decorated with flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional in Pekan, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

A motorcyclist rides past the flag of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional in Pekan, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

Flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional, are displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Ong)

Flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional, are displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, April 27, 2018. Malaysian general elections that could determine scandal-plagued Prime Minister Najib Razak's political survival were set for May 9, with analysts saying the workday polls may reduce voter turnout. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Ong)

Aaron Rodgers insists there's nothing uncertain about his status for the New York Jets' game Sunday at Buffalo.

“There's no way I'm not playing,” the quarterback said during a video call Tuesday.

Rodgers acknowledged he has “a little MCL” issue in a knee, but added: “I've had a lot worse. I lucked out. I avoided major stretchage of the MCL.”

Rodgers was hurt in the Jets’ 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday but remained in the game.

“I’m gonna play,” Rodgers said of the game against the Bills. “It feels pretty good.”

Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu’s promising first season is over, though, as the first-round pick was placed on injured reserve with an injury to the plantar fascia in his left foot.

Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said earlier Tuesday that it was “just too early to tell” what Rodgers' availability might be, but he was optimistic about the 41-year-old quarterback's chances.

“If I’m a betting man," Ulbrich said, “I’m betting on Aaron Rodgers to play.”

Rodgers said he didn't need an MRI on the knee, the latest ailment in what has been an injury-filled season. He earlier dealt with knee, hamstring and ankle issues that hindered his play at times.

One of the four-time MVP's goals entering the season was playing in all 17 games after being limited to four snaps in his debut last year because of a torn Achilles tendon.

“I definitely felt like at midseason that was going to be difficult,” Rodgers said of playing in every game. “But right now, it looks like, for sure, 16. And hopefully get through this one and get to 17.”

The Jets held a walkthrough Tuesday and their next full practice is Thursday, giving Rodgers some extra time to recover.

Rodgers has 24 touchdown passes and eight interceptions this season, and he's one TD throw from becoming the fifth player in NFL history with 500 for his career in the regular season.

While his plans for the final two games appear clear, his playing future beyond this season is uncertain.

Rodgers has another year left on his deal with the Jets, but the team is looking for a new general manager and head coach. Whether the quarterback will be part of the new regime's plans will be a major storyline this offseason.

During an appearance Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers suggested he could be released the day after the regular season ends. He said there's also a chance he could be retained but acknowledged he's going to take some time to decide if he even wants to play in a 21st NFL season.

“I think anything is truly possible,” Rodgers said Tuesday of potentially being released. "Whether it happens or not, I’m sure that there will be decisions that, I don’t think there will be surprises where there’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t know what we want to do with certain people.’ I think there’s going to be some decisions that want to be made the day after the season or a couple days after the season, so I don’t know. I’m just not naive.

“There’s not zero percent in my mind. I don’t think it’s a high percentage. I think there’s probably a conversation to be had, but I’m just not naive to that being a zero percent chance. I think it’s more than a zero percent chance and less than a certainty, so somewhere in the middle.”

Rodgers said he hasn't spoken recently to owner Woody Johnson and doesn't necessarily think the lack of any indication of whether he's wanted back means he won't be.

“I would be surprised if there was a conversation now because there’s so many uncertainties,” he said. “There’s a GM that has to get hired, I would assume first, and then he’s going to be part of hiring the head coach, so I have to be in the plans of multiple people, starting with the ownership and then the GM and then the head coach."

Rodgers added that if he's told the Jets want him back, it would mean they see him as an important part of trying to change the culture of a team that hasn't made the postseason in 14 years.

“That’d be special to hear that,” he said, “but if they don’t, again, no offense at all will be taken.”

Fashanu had a solid first NFL season after being the 11th overall draft pick in April out of Penn State. He began the year as veteran Tyron Smith's backup before filling in at right tackle for two games when Morgan Moses was injured. Fashanu, who played only left tackle in college, also stepped in at right guard for an injured Alijah Vera-Tucker against Houston.

When Smith was lost for the season with a neck injury last month, Fashanu took over as the starter and excelled in five starts. He was hurt midway through the fourth quarter against the Rams and was seen on crutches in the locker room after the game.

Ulbrich said he believed Fashanu would need surgery, but the team later clarified that a procedure won't be required.

“It's unfortunate,” Ulbrich said. “He's having a great rookie season. But at the same time, these injuries sometimes give you an opportunity to step back and really start absorbing some of the information as you were kind of thrown into the fire. He'll use it as an opportunity to grow, I know that.”

The Jets signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad and he'll compete with Anders Carlson for the job this week. Ulbrich said Greg Zuerlein, on IR since late October with a knee injury, also could be in the mix.

Carlson, the fourth kicker used by the Jets this season, missed an extra point and a 49-yard field goal try late in the fourth quarter against the Rams. He is 8 of 10 on field goal tries and 9 for 11 on extra points in five games with New York.

“We'll see how it goes and we'll put the best guy out there,” Ulbrich said.

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New York Jets place kicker Anders Carlson, middle, reacts after missing a field goal with Thomas Morstead (6) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

FILE - New York Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (74) is checked on by trainers during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) slides in front of Los Angeles Rams safety Jaylen McCollough during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)