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MALAYSIA'S leader yesterday refused to confirm speculation that Parliament would be dissolved on Wednesday to pave the way for a general election.
Political observers say Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi might choose that date, Feb 13, because 13 is his favourite number and it would fit in with expectations that polls would be held early next month. Datuk Seri Abdullah said during a visit to Penang: 'If you want to link (Parliament's dissolution to) No. 13, you can link.' 'Yes, I like that number because nobody wants it because of superstition,' he told a news conference. His five-year mandate runs until mid-2009, but he can ask the King to dissolve Parliament earlier. Elections must be held within 60 days of Parliament's dissolution, but most recent national ballots had been held within three weeks. Datuk Seri Abdullah said yesterday he had told government leaders to be ready for polls. He also told reporters he had given the green light to all state Umno liaison committees to draw up their lists of potential election candidates. He said he had yet to receive the lists from any state. 'Don't worry,' he added. 'When I decide to dissolve Parliament, I'll call for a press conference to announce the dissolution. Just wait.' He had led his National Front coalition to a landslide win in the last polls in 2004, when it won 90 per cent of parliamentary seats. But coalition leaders have acknowledged that they are unlikely to repeat the feat amid current challenges such as rising inflation, crime and racial tensions because of dissatisfaction among ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities over alleged discrimination. A recent survey by the independent think-tank Merdeka Centre showed Datuk Seri Abdullah's approval rating slid to an all-time low of 61 per cent in December, from 91 per cent in late 2004. BERNAMA, ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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Don't wait any longer please, the US economics already shows sign of recession.
We need to prep for that shock to hit Malaysia,and we need to ensure election there is a strong and economically sound leader is in place to leas us through the situation. So please , leave , I mean dissolve the parliament and let the people decide now!