, Columnist
Malaysia’s Content to Muddle Through
Economic growth and Chinese money are papering over the political cracks.
Malaysia’s general election is unlikely to deliver a much-needed structural reset.
Photographer: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
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Predicting political events has become a mug’s game, especially since Donald Trump’s ascension to the U.S. presidency and the Brexit vote. So pardon investors for not caring to overthink the outcome of today’s Malaysian general election.
The most recent survey by pollster Merdeka Centre says the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition will win with 37.3 per cent of the popular vote, down from 47.4 per cent in 2013. This supports investors’ base-case scenario: Prime Minister Najib Razak will retain power, but it may be close.