Ending months of speculation, Malaysian premier Abdullah Badawi on Tuesday dissolved Parliament to pave the way for snap elections in which his ruling coalition is expected to emerge as a winner but with a reduced majority.

Abdullah said the Malaysian King had given his approval for dissolving Parliament so that the elections could be held early.

The states have been advised to dissolve their assemblies, he told reporters, adding the date for the polls would be decided by the Election Commission.

Elections must be conducted within 60 days after Parliament is dissolved and the Malaysians are expected to go to poll in early March.

Malaysian opposition leader and former Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim, meanwhile, described as “shameful” the government’s decision to hold snap elections before he is eligible to contest because of a ban.
Anwar, the leader of Kedilan party who is currently in Hong Kong, was jailed in 1998 on corruption charges. He is also barred from politics until April.

Abdullah, 67, had taken over nearly four years ago from veteran Mahathir Mohammad, who was prime minister for 22 years.

The last general elections saw his Barisan Nasional coalition winning with a thumping majority.
The people of this multi-ethnic, multi-religious country welcomed him as “Mr clean” who had promised to run his government with transparency.

Ethnic Indians

Ethnic Indians, mostly Tamil-speaking Hindus, form 7.8 per cent of the 27 million population of Malaysia while Muslim Malays are 60 per cent and ethnic Chinese, mostly Buddhist and Christians, are 25 per cent.
However, four years on, people are unhappy over the growing crime rate and rising prices while ethnic communities, especially the minority Indians, feel marginalised.

For Abdullah, victory of Barisan Nasional is certain in the coming polls but with a reduced majority.