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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Malaysian PM dissolves parliament | Malaysian PM dissolves parliament |
| (about 21 hours later) | |
| Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has dissolved parliament more than a year ahead of schedule, paving the way for a general election. | Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has dissolved parliament more than a year ahead of schedule, paving the way for a general election. |
| Electoral officials will meet soon to set a date for the polls, with a ballot in early March widely expected. | Electoral officials will meet soon to set a date for the polls, with a ballot in early March widely expected. |
| The move comes amid rising racial tensions in multi-ethnic Malaysia and growing fears over inflation and crime. | 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. | But analysts still expect the ruling coalition to win the election, albeit with a reduced majority. |
| Ethnic tensions | Ethnic tensions |
| Mr Badawi made his announcement at a news conference in Malaysia's administrative centre, Putrajaya. | Mr Badawi made his announcement at a news conference in Malaysia's administrative centre, Putrajaya. |
| "The king has signed the declaration of dissolution of parliament today," he said. | "The king has signed the declaration of dissolution of parliament today," he said. |
| "We hope to get a big majority, at least two-thirds, God willing." | "We hope to get a big majority, at least two-thirds, God willing." |
| He gave no reason for his decision, but analysts say he is looking for a fresh mandate before the economy slows. | He gave no reason for his decision, but analysts say he is looking for a fresh mandate before the economy slows. |
| Another advantage for Mr Badawi of holding the election next month is that charismatic opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim cannot stand for office. | Another advantage for Mr Badawi of holding the election next month is that charismatic opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim cannot stand for office. |
| Anwar, who was the country's deputy prime minister before being jailed in 1998 on corruption charges, is barred him from politics until April 2008. | Anwar, who was the country's deputy prime minister before being jailed in 1998 on corruption charges, is barred him from politics until April 2008. |
| The timing of the election does pose some risks, though, for the ruling coalition. | The timing of the election does pose some risks, though, for the ruling coalition. |
| Late last year a string of rare street protests in the capital exposed a growing unhappiness among some ethnic minorities. | Late last year a string of rare street protests in the capital exposed a growing unhappiness among some ethnic minorities. |
| A recent opinion poll also suggested that Mr Badawi's personal popularity had tumbled by 30%. | A recent opinion poll also suggested that Mr Badawi's personal popularity had tumbled by 30%. |
| Nonetheless, according to the BBC's correspondent in Malaysia, Robin Brant, the National Front coalition government and the Malay party Umno which dominates it are virtually assured a healthy victory. | |
| They have won all previous 11 general elections. | They have won all previous 11 general elections. |