The clock is ticking down to the next general election in Malaysia, which must be held on or before Aug 24 next year. And ahead of the poll, Prime Minister Najib Razak is looking confident, defying those pundits who predicted that the fallout from the scandal surrounding state investment firm 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) could deal him a fatal political blow. Previously in October, thousands of protesters gathered at an unsanctioned rally to demand action against Prime Minister Najib Razak over the mismanagement of billions of dollars by a state fund. Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hinted on Sunday that Malaysia’s 14th general election will likely be held within days after the Chinese New Year next year.