FIRST of all, congratulations to Anwar Ibrahim, as his appointment as Prime Minister is the paramount factor why the RInggit trades at RM4.33 to the US dollar and not RM4.80.
THAT is far as the goodwill goes, as the real story that is going to shape Malaysian politics in 2023 starts today, when Bank Negara meets to decide on either maintaining, reducing or increasing interest rates.
THE rulling government and the central bank are in a catch 22 situation . A no hike in interest rates will weaken the Ringgit, trigger a steeper food bill for Malaysians while an increase in interest rates, will spike the cost of businessess, that eventually will push prices up.
I been laid off from work
My rent is due
My kids all need
Brand new shoes
So I went to the bank
To see what they could do
They said son - looks like bad luck
Got-a hold on you
Money's too tight to mention
HOW are these factors going to shape Malaysian politics in 2023?
CONSIDER, the following :
ZAHID Hamidi might be on top of the world right now, but by August he could be out in the dumps. READ : Zahid Hamidi Corruption case is for April till August 2023.
TO remain relevant, Zahid Hamidi needs to be popular among the masses and the masses wont take kindly to Zahid Hamidi not using his office to trigger yet another round of EPF withdrawal.
IN 2022, when the economy was growing at a 7 per cent pace, Zahid Hamidi' virtually bullied the Ismail Sabri government into yet another round of EPF withdrawal.
THIS year, the economy will only grow by less than 4.5 per cent, so if Zahid Hamidi decides to keep silent, he will be playing Russian roulette with his freedom.
ANWAR Ibrahim, just like Zahid Hamidi stands to lose much more than his popularity if Selangor falls into Perikatan Nasional's lap.
ALREADY on the ground, PAS has been working very closely with Gerakan doing dry runs in the state. And guess what, very high on the list was the EPF withdrawal issue READ : High living costs: Gerakan leader moots emergency EPF withdrawals.
AS, i have stated in December, READ : 160,000 of Selangor's 3.6 million voters (4.44 per cent) are demanding another round of EPF withdrawal but the game plan is to get between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of the Selangor voter base to sign up for the measure.
4.44444. The number 4 (四, pinyin: sì; Cantonese Yale: sei) is considered an unlucky number in Chinese because it is nearly homophonous to the word "death" .
LOSE, Selangor and it will be Auld Lang Syne time for the Prime Minister and his deputy, with no Johnny come lately come backs in the offing
