COMMENT | When Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob makes a slew of statements on affordable housing, it is a sign that the elections are not far away.

When the prime minister announces a plan to build 5,000 council houses for the urban poor and vows to make Kuala Lumpur City “inclusive”, and that he would pursue a development that leaves “nobody behind”, you can conclude that the election pledges are being made.

When the prime minister says that he has instructed Bank Negara Malaysia to review the housing financing model to facilitate house ownership, you can confirm that the election juggernaut has started rolling.

But will banks be willing to lend if...