KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called on Wednesday for early general elections, at a date to be fixed by electoral authorities.
Abdullah said he had advised the king to dissolve federalparliament about a year before its five-year term was due toend. He gave no reason, but analysts have said the rulingcoalition wants a fresh mandate before the economy slows andinflation picks up steam.
The ruling coalition hopes to retain a two-thirds majorityof the 222 seats up for grabs at the polls, Abdullah added.
The Election Commission will meet soon to fix the electiondate, though political analysts expect it to be held during thefirst ten days of March. Elections were not due to be helduntil May 16, 2009.
(Reporting by Jalil Hamid; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
