KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The long-standing coalition government on Tuesday (April 16th) withdrew four controversial current and former ministers as candidates for the May 5th elections, AFP reported.

"This is to satisfy the demands of voters who want to see Barisan Nasional and the UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) change and reform," Prime Minister Najib Razak said Monday, signalling the shakeup.

Nominee lists released Tuesday showed that a handful of prominent figures were left out, including former Women's Affairs Minister Shahrizat Jalil and current Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen, the two Barisan leaders accused of corruption.

Information Minister Rais Yatim – criticised for comments perceived as opposing free expression – was axed, as was former health minister Chua Soi Lek, whose reputation was tarnished after a sex tape surfaced in 2007.

Analysts say the three-party opposition alliance led by former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim may end the coalition's streak of 56 years in power.