The BN government, apparently emboldened by a belief that the ruling coalition is comfortably ahead in polls for elections to be called soon, is leaning towards okaying a controversial rare earth processing plant in Kuantan state, a Umno source told Asia Sentinel .

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus Ongkili told reporters on Tuesday that he hopes to make an announcement on the plant's future within two weeks.

The Umno source indicated the announcement is likely to be positive, although that isn't certain, as things tend to go awry...