Malaysian polls ‘around the corner’

Malaysia’s election chief has reiterated that nationwide polls are “around the corner” despite speculation the government would hold back due to a host of problems, a report said Sunday.

“When I say the election is around the corner, you better believe me because it is not a joke,” Election Commission chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman told The Star daily, echoing comments made in November.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had been expected to call general elections early this year, but has his hands full with unprecedented street protests, a sex scandal, and public anger over high fuel and food prices.

Sunday, AFP