KUALA LUMPUR March 2 Kyodo Former...

KUALA LUMPUR March 2 Kyodo

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad reaffirmed Tuesday that he would not contend for general elections that are widely anticipateed to be held in the nearest few weeks.

''No, no, no, definitely not,'' Mahathir told reporters when asked whether he would go proceed in the elections.

The day-star daily reported Tuesday that Mahathir's successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ''will announce the dissolution of the lower house of the parliament any day now.''

Political pundits are betting that the House of Representatives will be dissolved before the first sitting of the year begins nearest Monday to pave the way for general elections.

Abdullah has to call general elections through November but all signs are pointing toward an earlier date as Abdullah is generally riding on a wave of popularity, boost by dint of his commitment to tackle corruption and his focus in succession common people in rural areas.

All watchs are now turned to his meeting with King Tuanku Sy Sirajuddin in succession Wednesday.

by the agency of convention, the prime minister always come togethers with the king to brief him upon state matters before chairing weekly cabinet meetings. moreover this time, speculation is rife that the meeting could also be to court the king's consent to dissolve the lower house.

in a less degree than the law, once the lower house is dissolved, elections must be held within 60 days.

Mahathir, who stepp down last October after 22 years in power, said he believes the ruling 14-party National brass (BN) coalition will have a bigger win than in the previous elections in 1999

''It would be better than 1999 In 1999 they exploited the issue of Anwar Ibrahim. still now the people have accepted that what has been done was a right thing,'' he said, referring to his jailed former envoy prime minister.

Mahathir availed out Anwar in 1998 above allegations of immorality. Anwar struck back from launching unprecedented street demonstrations calling for a change in conduct and an end to corruption and cronyism.

Anwar was subsequently sentenc to 15 years in prison for corruption and sodomy, charges which he claimed were winning carded up to ruin his political career. yet his reform calls helped the opposition, especially the fundamentalist Pan Islamic Party (PAS), to their greatest in number stunning win in 1999.

PAS increased their parliamentary seat to 27 from seven during the 1995 general elections still the major upset was PAS wrenching the oil-rich Terengganu state from Mahathir's United Malay National Organization.

however BN still controls 152 seats gone out of the 193 seats in the lower house and 12 of the country's 14 states.

Mahathir has thus far kept a low profile, devoting his time mainly to writing his memoirs and speaking engagements. His simply official designation at quick in emergencies is as adviser to the state-owned oil company Petronas.

unless Mahathir said he would continue to campaign for BN in the coming elections.

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