Malaysia sets early general election date

by Jarrett Martineau | February 13, 2008 at 09:17 pm | 1232 views | 2 comments

UPDATE: Malaysia has set a date of March 8 for general elections, following the dissolution of parliament yesterday.

Malaysia is to hold a general election on 8 March, after Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolved parliament more than a year ahead of schedule.

Election officials said candidates would be nominated on 24 February, launching a 13-day campaign period.

The move comes amid rising racial tensions in multi-ethnic Malaysia and growing fears over inflation and crime.

But analysts still expect the ruling coalition to win the election, albeit with a reduced majority

PREVIOUSLY: Malaysians were set to go to the polls next year, however, today's dissolution of parliament could mean that a vote could held as early as next month. Officials will meet on Thursday to set an official election date.

Malaysia's King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abi dissolved parliament to clear the way for new elections, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a news conference Wednesday.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the dissolution of Parliament Wednesday.

Abdullah said the king had acted on Abdullah's request.

Election authorities plan to meet Thursday to set a date for new elections, which could be held in early March, said Baradan Kuppusamy, a journalist who has covered numerous Malaysian elections.

Abdullah's term as prime minister was to expire in June 2009, and Parliament would have been dissolved and new elections held then, had Abdullah not acted, Kuppusamy said.

Concerns have been simmering over rising food and fuel prices that many analysts expect to worsen next year, Kuppusamy added.

Malaysia's prime minister has dissolved parliament, paving the way for early general elections that will be a key test of his popularity amid complaints about inflation, crime and ethnic tensions.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made the announcement on Wednesday at a hastily convened news conference.

Elections are not due to be held until mid-2009 when Abdullah's five-year term officially ends, but most Malaysian prime ministers have traditionally sought a fresh mandate after four years.

Abdullah told reporters that the ruling Barisan Naional coalition hopes to retain a two-thirds majority of the 222 seats up for grabs at the polls.

The election follows a series of rare public protests by groups accusing the government of introducing unfair election laws and by ethnic Indians alleging discrimination.