Prime Minister Najib Razak’s decision to pour what could be upwards of US$24 billion (S$32.4 billion) of state funds into the United States has received brickbats back home, with critics saying the money should be used to improve Malaysia’s economy instead.

Political analysts believe a big local investment will cool criticism of Mr Najib’s announcement, which S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies‘ senior fellow Johan Saravanamuttu said made him appear “too ready to please (U.S. President Donald) Trump”.