Defense contracts or not GE14 looks set for March unless Najib is uncertain
The defense services Asia (DSA) event would have been a bane for the Malaysian government in its plans to call for polls in 2018, but this year, it is all about PM Najib Razak.
Whether he calls for the polls in March or later, depends on his beliefs that the ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional (BN) will do better than 2008 and 2013.
There is also the belief that the elections will be held on the 18-18 date. March 18, which falls during the weekend, is said to be the date for the elections. 18th March 2018 could be the date for the polls, says some. “Unless Najib is uncertain.”
The news is out the elections will be held between 17 March and 24th March. Both are Saturdays. The school holidays fall within those dates:
| School Holidays | Starts | Finishes |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 Holidays | 16 Mar 2018 (Fri) | 24 Mar 2018 (Sat) |
But if there are further delays and no elections in March this year, it would likely be held before the Haj. Najib himself gave the hint that the 14th General Elections will be held before the annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
At one point, some analysts said the PM would not call for polls by March. They said the government would depend largely on some juicy contracts that would be signed during the Defense Services Asia (DSA) event to be held between the 16 – 19 APRIL 2018 in Kuala Lumpur.
But a source told WFTV this year’s DSA will not see much buying from the Malaysian side, despite the fact this year is the event’s 30th anniversary and it will have a big bash under “30 YEARS IN THE DEFENCE SHOW BUSINESS” banner.
To celebrate the 30 years the producers are introducing a new segment on national security for Asia, branded as – National Security Asia 2018 (NATSEC Asia 2018).
The debut will take place alongside DSA at the new venue in MITEC, Kuala Lumpur. NATSEC Asia is set to become a truly dedicated national security show which will ride on the well-established DSA platform.
The source said with its low-profile defense budget voted last year, Malaysia will not be on a buying spree. “Defense budget kinda pathetic,” said the source.
The source also said there is a lot of asset transfer within the military these days, thus the government does not seem to keen to get involved in juicy contracts.
If that was the case, then it would be certain the GE14 would be postponed after the April show.
“Look at esscom..assets are borrowed,” said the source.