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", according to some pundits, may be in the next six months or right after the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games that Malaysia is set to host in August 2017. Such sporting events generally tend to stir feel-good nationalist sentiments, which could serve the incumbent Barisan Nasional (BN) ruling coalition well.

Mr Najib, who has emerged even stronger amid calls to step down on the back of a huge financial scandal involving state- backed investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) - with the drama still unfolding - has purged critics from his regime, installed his backers in key positions, and cracked down on protesters. All that may have come at great cost to Malaysia in terms of governance and reputation. But the once-besieged leader has never been stronger - as evinced by the just-concluded United Malays National Organisation (Umno) general assembly.