18 May 2026 Emerging Asia Monitor Is Malaysia heading for an early election, and what would this mean?

Malaysia may be heading for an early election, but beneath the surface ethnic tensions are brewing.
These tensions are coupled with rising religious conservatism, particularly among Malaysia’s youth.
Governance is likely to become more religious, to fend off Islamist parties, hurting long-term growth.

independent macro research, Pantheon Macro, Pantheon Macroeconomics, independent research, ian shepherdson, economic intelligence