Malaysia's rosy economy a winner in election year

Singapore

THE dominant theme in Malaysia for 2018 is no mystery - the imminent and no doubt, hotly contested 14th General Election that must be called by August next year. And if you believe the pundits, neither is its outcome, with most expecting the long-ruling Barisan Nasional led by Prime Minister Najib Razak to snag a victory.

Offering a clear advantage to Mr Najib's team would be the health of the national economy and by extension, personal pocketbook issues (1MDB scandal, step aside) that are top issues in the minds of a large swathe of voters.

The macro narrative is rosy - the economy is expected to be all fired up by domestic demand, thanks …