Najib scotches early poll suggestion
Malaysiakini
Sep 30, 2006

Deputy prime minister Najib Razak down played speculation of an early general election because of the ruling party's decision to delay internal polls.

"The general election need not necessarily be held next year," Najib was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

"It can be the year after or 2009. The decision to call for one lies with the prime minister," he said.

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang on Friday said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi may call an early nationwide poll to avoid a difficult internal leadership challenge.

His comments came after the ruling Umno decided to postpone internal party polls until after the next general election which could be three years away.

Najib, who is also Umno deputy president, said the party had agreed to postpone its elections to ensure members stayed focused on the general poll and were not distracted by their own internal campaign plans.

"We are worried that if the party elections were to be held next year, aspiring candidates may start to campaign now," Najib said.

"The focus now is to strengthen the party and to touch base with the people," he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Weak leadership

Malaysia's last general election was in March 2004 when Abdullah won a landslide. Malaysia must see a general election within five years, with the latest possible date of March 2009.

Abdullah, who is also Umno president, has been embroiled in a bitter row with former premier Mahathir Mohamad, which has raised fears of divisions within Umno.

Mahathir has accused Abdullah of nepotism and making unwise policy decisions.

Abdullah has also faced criticism from the ranks of Umno for weak leadership and failing to live up to his election promises of battling corruption.