Early M'sian GE in delicate climate could strain multi- racial country more

HIGHLY optimistic despite an unprecedented financial scandal that has hurt his reputation, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak signalled a week ago that he could call a general election (GE) "soon".

This was quite a surprise move since, less than a month earlier, he had said he would not necessarily call a snap election next year amid rising speculation that he would. Polls are not due until August 2018. "Soon", ac…