Continuing rapid growth and FDIexpansion
during 1990–96 muted pressures for upgrading
until the bottom fell out of the economy in late
1996 and early 1997. The twin pressures of falling
GDP and stagnating technological progress
led Mahathir to implement a new round of economic
policy change, which, as before, was a
complex combination of liberal reform and
nationalist controls. Importantly, prior policies
and institutions both spawned postcrisis reform
while limiting its ultimate scope and effectiveness.
Moreover, Malaysia’s postcrisis policy
overhaul reflected and caused further coalitional
shifts, often working against previously
central coalitional constituents.
Consider first the corporate sector. Examples
of liberal reform included forced restructuring
and consolidation, reduced government subsidies,
and efforts to increase shareholder rights
and transparency in corporate governance.
Yet renationalizing key industries, selectively
bailing out some ‘‘crony’’ owned firms while
withdrawing support for others, and continuing
stimulus spending signaled ongoing illiberal
nationalist intervention, political retribution,
and fiscal profligacy.