Coalition to plot strategies in KL

Coalition to plot strategies in KL

MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has summoned top
government leaders for a meeting this week to debate preparations
for a snap general election, news reports said on Sunday.

Abdullah will chair a meeting of the National Front
coalition's decision-making council on Thursday, ahead of
national polls that most political observers predict will be held
in March or April, the Sunday Star newspaper reported.

Elections would be the focus of the meeting, since "the polls
are getting nearer", coalition secretary-general Mohamed Rahmat
told the newspaper.

The government's five-year mandate does not expire until
November, but Abdullah is considered certain to call for a snap
poll by mid-2004 to capitalize on the government's current
popularity amid a steadily improving economy.

Abdullah's main challenge comes from the opposition Pan-
Malaysian Islamic Party, which rules two of Malaysia's 13 states
and has a strong influence among Muslims in rural communities.

Speculation about elections has intensified in recent days
after Abdullah announced the appointment of the popular Defense
Minister Najib Razak as his deputy, in a move that is expected to
strengthen his coalition for the ballot. -- DPA