Malaysian election prospects<\/p>\n
With a general election around the corner, Malaysia's Prime
\nMinister Mahathir Mohammad leaves nothing to chance. Politically,
\nhe continues to bait the opposition. On the economic front, the
\ngiveaway budget will win votes for his ruling National Front
\ncoalition.<\/p>\n
Just how many votes he can garner with generous handouts
\nremains to be seen. But look at the goodies for the lower income
\ngroups and civil servants: tax cuts, pay increases, bonuses,
\nbigger allowances, waivers. Banks are encouraged to lend more,
\nand those which restructure are given financial incentives.<\/p>\n
Clearly, Dr. Mahathir is encouraging spending to fuel the
\neconomic recovery. The government plans to spend US$20 million,
\nup 20 percent from last year, to build new roads, bridges,
\nschools and homes. All this will go some way to sweeten the
\nground for the National Front to fight what could possibly be its
\ntoughest election yet in the wake of the Anwar Ibrahim saga. The
\nFront's victory is not in doubt. The question is whether it can
\nwin yet again another landslide victory and retain its two-thirds
\nmajority in Parliament.<\/p>\n
-- The Straits Times, Singapore<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysian-election-prospects-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }