Malaysia's Pm Forces Elections

Malaysia's prime minister, Abdullah Badawi, yesterday announced the dissolution of parliament in an attempt to secure his own mandate and the legitimacy he has lacked since replacing Mahathir Mohamad last October.

Polling day, which the electoral commission will set when the state legislatures have also been dissolved, is expected to be before the end of the month.

The ruling National Front (BN) coalition of 12 parties from Malay, Chinese and Indian backgrounds is almost certain to be returned with a handsome majority.

But unless Mr Badawi can reverse the slide at the last election in 1999, where BN's support slumped to 56.5% of the popular vote, analysts say his own position is at risk within his United Malays National Organisation.

Many factors are in Mr Badawi's favour: he has shown a determination to tackle corruption; the economy is picking up; and the opposition is far from united. But many of Malaysia's 10 million voters have only ever known one leader and might opt for change.