Malaysian PM Calls Early Elections

By SEAN YOONG, Associated Press Writer AP Thursday, February 14 PUTRAJAYA, Malaysiarime minister on Wednesday announced early general elections that will test his declining popularity amid complaints about inflation, crime and ethnic tensions. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Malaysia's constitutional monarch had endorsed the dissolution of Parliament and that the Election Commission would soon set a date for the vote. Elections must be conducted within 60 days after Parliament is dissolved, but typically are held sooner than that. Abdullah led his National Front coalition to a landslide victory in the last elections in 2004, when it won 90 percent of parliamentary seats. But coalition leaders have acknowledged they are unlikely to win 90 percent again amid challenges such as rising inflation, crime and tensions in the multiracial society because of dissatisfaction among Chinese and Indian minorities over alleged discrimination. Abdullah acknowledged that 2004 was "a special record" and said that this time he hopes to win at least a two-thirds majority. National police Chief Musa Hassan said 60,000 officers would be deployed to preserve peace during the election period and to deter politicians from making public speeches that could trigger racial anger. 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. The National Front, a coalition of 14 parties, is dominated by the United Malays National Organization, the self-proclaimed representative of the country's ethnic Muslim Malays, who comprise 60 percent of the 27 million population. Ethnic Chinese account for 25 percent and ethnic Indians 8 percent. 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. Opposition parties have also held demonstrations to demand electoral fairness. 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.