Malaysia’s power struggle puts economy’s outlook at risk

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s political upheaval is jeopardising the economy’s outlook at a time of heightened global risks and brewing discontent among locals about rising living costs.

The ruling coalition collapsed Monday amid a power struggle between 94-year-old Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his planned successor. The political uncertainty is stalling economic policy, including a stimulus package that was due to be unveiled by Dr Mahathir on Feb. 27 to counter the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.