Bomb squad officers inspect the Barisan Nasional (National Front) operations centre in Nibong Tebal in northern Malaysia on Tuesday (April 23rd). Hundreds of violent incidents – including a bomb explosion – have been reported since campaigning began for the May 5th parliamentary elections. [AFP/Malaysia OUT]

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A significant upsurge in violence is being experienced since campaigning began for the hotly contested May 5th parliamentary elections, AFP reported.

Police announced Wednesday (April 24th) hundreds of cases of incidents over the past four days, including a bomb blast late Tuesday near a rally in support of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. One security worker was injured and police managed to safely detonate a second bomb found later in the same area.

Both Prime Minister Najib Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim condemned those behind the bombs.

Campaigning began Saturday and continues for two weeks. Police have already reported 387 incidents and at least 15 arrests, national police spokesman Ramli Yoosuf told The Star.

Those detained were "in possession of weapons such as machetes and suspected of slashing rival party supporters and criminal intimidation, mostly while putting up flags and banners", Ramli said.