Malaysia's election may not be a done deal after all

(May 7): In financial centres around the world, it looks like Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will easily win re-election this week.

“I expect this to be a non-event with Najib coming away with a resounding victory,” said Edwin Gutierrez, the London-based head of emerging-market sovereign debt at Aberdeen Standard Investments, which oversees 575.7 billion pounds ($1.04 trillion) globally. “That is pretty much the overwhelming consensus from the market.”

But on the ground in Southeast Asia, there’s more uncertainty. Analysts and politicians on both sides of the aisle are warning of a close fight in the May 9 election as Najib’s coalition looks to extend its unbroken 61-year rule.

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