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