AFP February 13, 2008
MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today dissolved parliament, paving the way for snap elections which are expected to see the ruling coalition’s majority eroded.
Abdullah’s popularity has plummeted as the nation is beset by mounting racial tensions, unprecedented street protests, anger over rising fuel and food prices, and high crime rates.
Announcing that the king had consented to dissolve parliament, Abdullah indicated he did not expect a repeat of the 2004 landslide when the Barisan Nasional coalition seized some 90 per cent of parliamentary seats.
“2004 was a special election and it was extraordinary. I pray that BN will get at least two-thirds of the votes in the upcoming election,” he told a press conference.
“I hope voters will understand the issues affecting our country objectively,” he said, adding that the election commission would decide on the polling date.
Voting must be held 60 days after parliament is dissolved, but the government traditionally allows just a two-week campaign period, which would mean the ballot in early March.
Abdullah appealed for calm during the campaign, in an apparent reference to a string of public rallies over the past few months which police have broken up with tear gas and water cannon.
“My hope is that during the voting, nothing untoward will happen – there will be no disturbances or trouble that will affect the voting process,” he said.
Abdullah heads the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which leads the Barisan Nasional (National Front) multi-racial coalition that holds 200 of the 219 seats in parliament.
The Chinese-based Democratic Action Party holds 12, the fundamentalist Islamic party PAS has six and Keadilan which is led by the wife of dissident former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim has one seat.
The government’s term expires only in May 2009 and some commentators say it is going to the polls early to ensure Anwar cannot contest. He was sacked and jailed in 1998 and is barred from politics until April this year.
In the next elections there will be 222 seats contested due to the creation of new constituencies. The assemblies in the 12 states and territories will also be contested.
DAP parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang condemned the election announcement which falls during celebrations for Chinese New Year.
“I think it shows a disregard and insensitivity of the diverse cultures and religions in the country,” he told AFP.
UMNO was also criticised for holding its annual talks during the Deepavali festival which is celebrated by Malaysia’s minority ethnic Indian community – an incident Lim condemned as a “debacle”.
Yesterday, Abdullah had tried to quell the rumours that he would dissolve parliament on the 13th – his favourite number – telling reporters “No, it won’t be tomorrow”.
Lim slammed the premier for the about-face.
“I think it’s most disgraceful and shocking after the assurance yesterday evening that there would not be a dissolution today,” he said.