The heads of all BN component parties have been ordered to attend a meeting at the prime minister's official residence in Putrajaya tonight.

The summons, according to a Sin Chew Daily report today, was conveyed to all BN component party heads in a text-message.

Without specifying the source, the Chinese-language daily quoted the text-message as saying that all party presidents or chairpersons must personally attend the meeting.

The message explicitly states that BN chiefs are not allowed to send representatives in their place, said the report.

The purpose of the meeting is unclear, but Sin Chew Daily said it is believed to be related to preparations for the 13th general election.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is expected to return today after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) conference in Hawaii.

Speculation has been rife that the general election will be held soon, with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin having met BN component leaders since October in preparation for the polls.

The general election is not expected to be called until early next year, after the goodies in Budget 2012 are dished out.

However, certain goodies, such as the RM100 aid to students, have already begun to be distributed even before the budget has been approved, raising the possibility that the general election may be called earlier than expected.

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