Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi finally says it and, for the first time, revealed there will be an early general election - a hotly- talked-about-topic in the country the last few months.
So the general election is around the corner. No doubt about that. Many analysts expect parliament to be dissolved in early March, with the general election to be held by the end of the month .
The Prime Minister has been coy, always evasive and has never given a direct answer and has kept the country guessing as to when the polls will be held. And there he was telling the world in an interview with the CNN that an early early will be called for to enable the government to continue with its development plans.
Here's the story in the Star:
“It will be good to have a good mandate from the people so that the Government can go ahead with its development programmes,” said the Prime Minister when responding to a question in an interview on CNN’s World News Asia yesterday on why he would call for an early election.
Abdullah said the possible involvement of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the next elections was not a factor on his mind.
“There are other matters that I have to think about before I recommend the
dissolution of Parliament and fixing the date for the elections,” he said.
Abdullah is attending the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
He also said that the Government was talking to a lot of people to address
the problems affecting Malaysian Indians as well as groups and NGOs
representing them.
Abdullah said the Government had successfully reduced the poverty level
from 60% after independence to 5.7% currently, with a small 1.2% who are
still living in hardcore poverty.
And in Bernama: here
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7 comments:
Kak Ton,
Another mandate for another term to carry on development plan?
Another term to plunder the countries coffer till it dries up is more like it. What can we do since since the opposition is fragmented. No alternatives whasoever for the voters to choose. They will continue voting for the devil they know of rather than the angel who can't even work together among theselves.
Kak ton,
I agree with Zawi. Another mandate for what?
He's been sleeping on his job and he wants another term to carry on what, unfinished projects?
Bollocks!! Another term to rape & ravage the country?
Who is Pak Lah kidding, huh?
No more lies. No more BN for me.
If he cut down on his overseas trip/holidays & sleep less he might have accomplished what he is supposed to do - work.
Asking mandate for another term? Tak malu muka ke?
Agree with Anon 12:26 AM
Have you no shame, Pak Lah?
Hi Zawi and Puteri
I agree with both of you. Another mandate for another term. Untuk apa ya? To continue and plunder.
Unfortunately, there is not much choice for the voters.
But I've made up my mind. I know who I wont be voting for.
Malaysian prime minister's comment adds fuel to rumors of snap elections
AP, KUALA LUMPUR
Sunday, Jan 27, 2008, Page 4
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Malaysians appeared to be ready for general elections -- in his clearest indication so far that early polls are near.
Speculation is mounting that Abdullah will call for national ballots by mid-March, even though his ruling coalition's five-year mandate only expires in the middle of next year.
Abdullah told CNN in Davos, Switzerland, on Friday that he was hoping for a "good mandate" to enable the government to implement public development programs.
"We will call for the election when I think everything is all right and at the moment I think people are ready for the election," Abdullah said in the interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum. Excerpts were published by Malaysian media yesterday.
Abdullah had said in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week that his National Front coalition would probably not be able to repeat its huge electoral success in 2004, when it won 196 of the 219 parliamentary seats.
Among Abdullah's biggest electoral challenges are inflation, rising crime and tensions in the multiracial society sparked by frustrations among minority ethnic Indians, who feel they are not getting a fair share of the national wealth.
Separately yesterday, Othman Ali, a federal police official responsible for security, said police have "put in place all the necessary preparations and we are ready" for elections, the national news agency Bernama reported.
"We expect a smooth election," Bernama quoted Othman as telling reporters in eastern Malaysia. "I don't expect any rioting or disturbances in the coming election but if there are, we are prepared to face them either in terms of personnel or logistics."
Officials at federal police headquarters said they could not immediately comment.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2008/01/27/2003399065
zawi- funny how you look upon the opposition as angels!
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