This article appeared in Newsweek, Aug 20-27,1999 Special Double issue under "Intelligence": PM Mahthir Mohamad announced some weeks ago that the ruling Barisan Nasional - National Front - was going into "elections mode." He might be
reconsidering his options. The recent embarrassingly public 3-way split in the women's wing of the dominant United Malays National Organization called into question the group's unity. And the series of reports filed with the police by jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim against Mahathir allies are taking their toll. The governments's forced
merger of banks announced in early August disgruntled the business community. One of the institutions selected to play a lead role - Multi-Purpose Bank - is reportedly linked to powerful figures in the ruling party. And the mergers would reduce the role of Chinese-owned banks, allies Mahathir can't afford to lose (see Asiaweek, Aug 13). The PM travels to China and Russia in late August. He was expected to announce the poll date when he returns. Now, there is a good chance that might not happen.