Displaying items by tag: stability

Turmoil in the world has resulted in volatility and unpredictability in the commodity markets. For example, the rapeseed price paid to farmers, which rose sharply at the beginning of the season, fell again by £100 per ton as Russia flooded cereal markets. While retail prices for groceries continue to escalate, the price paid for milk to farmers has just been reduced by 10p per litre, a cut of 20%. Buying and selling has become frustrating and hazardous for the farmer. It is hard to pray from the perspective of such instability, so our praying is founded on scripture telling us that in the midst of confusion and difficulty, the Lord is in control, and He will be the stability of your times (Isaiah 33:5). The countryside and farming offer many signs of 'hope after despair’. Spring’s new life swallows up winter's death. Farmers sow seed in hope of reaping a harvest (John 12:24).

The polls on 18 November are a year earlier than scheduled after years of political upheaval and the first since the voting age was lowered to 18. The shaky coalition government of prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is attempting to win a solid mandate to end the political manoeuvring that has seen three prime ministers in nearly as many years. Elections for assemblies will also be held in some of the country’s 13 states. About 21 million people are eligible to vote. The 2018 election saw the United Malays National Organisation lose power for the first time in sixty years, amid public anger over the multibillion-dollar corruption scandal at the state fund. Voters are anxious about rising prices and higher interest rates, as well as the jostling for power among politicians.