In the rainforests of Borneo island, the name 1MDB doesn't mean much. About a thousand kilometres from the Malaysian capital, more basic issues are likely to return Prime Minister Najib Razak's coalition to power in the Sarawak state election next month.
Amin Amid, 72, has watched life improve in his coastal village in Malaysia's biggest state over the decades. Locals have electricity, schools, clinics and recently big blue tanks to store water. He hasn't heard of 1Malaysia Development, the government fund hit by multiple financial scandals, or questions over hundreds of millions of dollars that showed up in Najib's bank accounts three years ago.
When told, he doesn't particularly care.
"I don't really understand the issue," said Amin, an ethnic Malay who sells palm sugar, coconut oil and fermented shrimps by the side of a two-lane main road. "He definitely has a lot of not-so-good news going on, but I'm not really bothered. He is already the leader, what else can we do?"
Indifference to the scandals outside Malaysia's biggest cities will probably help Najib's Barisan Nasional coalition retain Sarawak - a state held since 1963 - in elections on May 7.
It would show the difficulty his opponents have in gaining momentum among ordinary Malays by painting him as corrupt and self-serving. But it'd also be a warning to the premier that voters could shift their allegiance if they feel their lives are impacted by a slowing economy.
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Amin Amid, 72, has watched life improve in his coastal village in Malaysia's biggest state over the decades. Locals have electricity, schools, clinics and recently big blue tanks to store water. He hasn't heard of 1Malaysia Development, the government fund hit by multiple financial scandals, or questions over hundreds of millions of dollars that showed up in Najib's bank accounts three years ago.
When told, he doesn't particularly care.
"I don't really understand the issue," said Amin, an ethnic Malay who sells palm sugar, coconut oil and fermented shrimps by the side of a two-lane main road. "He definitely has a lot of not-so-good news going on, but I'm not really bothered. He is already the leader, what else can we do?"
Indifference to the scandals outside Malaysia's biggest cities will probably help Najib's Barisan Nasional coalition retain Sarawak - a state held since 1963 - in elections on May 7.
It would show the difficulty his opponents have in gaining momentum among ordinary Malays by painting him as corrupt and self-serving. But it'd also be a warning to the premier that voters could shift their allegiance if they feel their lives are impacted by a slowing economy.
Click Here To Register For Free Trial Services OR Give A Missed Call : +6531581402 Follow Us On Twitter : www.twitter.com/epicresearchsg Like Us On Facebook : www.facebook.com/EpicResearchSingapore Need Any Assistance Feel Free To Mail Us at : info@epicresearch.sg
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