Monsoon season makes Malaysia's election unlikely this year

SINGAPORE (Nov 9): A monsoon-season election in Malaysia could threaten turnout and hurt the credibility of the result, a government minister said, signaling the vote is likely to now be held next year.

Those factors are among large downside risks to having the general election during the monsoon period, Trade Minister Mustapa Mohamed said on Tuesday in an interview in Vietnam, where he is attending meetings related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The rough weather is typically at its worst from November to January.

Malaysia is due for a general election by August 2018, but there’s been speculation Prime Minister Najib Razak may call it sooner to capitalize on a feel-good budget and an opposition in disarray. While analysts still expect Najib’s Barisan Nasional alliance -- in power for six decades -- to win a majority of seats, rising living costs threaten to chip away at the ruling coalition’s support.

---

Related Stories

• Nik Nazmi also sends in resignation as minister of natural resources and environmental sustainability
• Rafizi resigns as economy minister, effective June 17
• Malaysian assets to gain as funds slash US exposure, says CIMB CEO

---