KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of people across Malaysia were evacuated into temporary shelters over the weekend, officials said, as seasonal monsoon rains prompted turnout and safety concerns for the Southeast Asian country's upcoming general elections.

'The prime minister has put the lives of voters at risk by holding elections during the monsoon season and, with climate change, I really fear heavier rainfall across Malaysia,' said Mahfuz Omar, an opposition member of parliament from northern Kedah state, referring to Ismail Sabri Yaakob.