Handouts can't buy BN love, says don

Disgruntlement over the rising cost of living will not be quelled by various cash handouts offered by the Najib administration, says a political researcher, citing the recent by-election in Singapore as an example.

“The cost of living is the number one issue, and the BN government handouts will not work,” said James Chin (left), professor of political science and head of the School of Arts and Social Sciences of Monash University, Sunway Campus.

Chin said this was a key issue during the Punggol East by-election campaign, which concluded last weekend with a significant swing helping the opposition Workers' Party to capture the traditional stronghold of the ruling People's Action Party.

Chin was one of the three speakers at a forum titled “Politics Unusual – What to Expect in the Next General Election?”

The forum is part of the 15th Malaysia Strategic Outlook Conference organised by think tank Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

[More to follow]