Malaysia to hold early general elections amid ethnic tensions

By SEAN YOONG,Associated Press Writer AP - Wednesday, February 13 PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia - Malaysia's prime minister dissolved Parliament on Wednesday to pave the way for early general elections that will test his declining popularity following complaints about inflation, crime and ethnic tensions. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters that Malaysia's constitutional monarch approved the election plan and that the Election Commission would set a date. Elections must be conducted within 60 days after Parliament is dissolved, but typically they are held sooner. Abdullah led his National Front coalition to a landslide victory in 2004, when it won about 90 percent of parliamentary seats. But coalition leaders acknowledge they are unlikely to win 90 percent again amid rising inflation, crime and dissatisfaction among Chinese and Indian minorities over alleged discrimination. "We hope to win strong support, at least a two-thirds (majority)," Abdullah said. The National Front, a coalition of 14 parties, is dominated by the United Malays National Organization, the self-acclaimed representative of the country's ethnic Muslim Malays who form 60 percent of the 27 million population. UMNO's main partners are the Malaysian Chinese Association and the Malaysian Indian Congress. Ethnic Chinese account for 25 percent of the population, while ethnic Indians comprise 8 percent. The National Front has ruled Malaysia since independence 50 years ago in a unique power sharing arrangement that leaders say is the bedrock of the country's racial unity. However, recent anger among minorities over what they perceive as racial marginalization "could change their voting pattern to express their dissent," said Mansor Jusoh, an economics professor at the National University of Malaysia. Syed Arabi Idid, a professor at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, said the economy and crime would be key issues. "The main issue is economic problems _ rising prices, inflation and unemployment. The second is crime," he said. A recent survey by the independent think tank Merdeka Center showed Abdullah's approval rating slipped to an all-time low of 61 percent in December, from 91 percent in late 2004. Indian support for Abdullah plunged to 38 percent in December from 79 percent in October. Approval from the Chinese community fell to 42 percent from 47 percent, while Malay support fell to 76 percent from 84 percent in the same period. Abdullah has said rising inflation and high fuel prices are a global phenomena and the government would be forced to cut fuel subsidies, which cost the treasury about 40 billion ringgit (US$12 billion; ?8.7 billion) a year. He has acknowledged that anger among Indians could hurt the National Front. Indians, who are at the bottom of the social and political ladder, are demanding economic equality, saying they have suffered because of an affirmative action program for Malays. They also complain of discrimination in education and religion. In an unprecedented show of dissent, some 20,000 Indians held an anti-government demonstration in November. The elections were not due until mid-2009 when Abdullah's five-year term ends, but most prime ministers have sought a fresh mandate after four years.