Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he has yet to get any 'inspiration' on when to call the next general elections.

Abdullah, who marked four years in power this month, told Umno delegates at the party assembly today that the government had performed well thus far.

"But I have not received any inspiration (to hold the polls) yet," he said in his winding-up speech this afternoon.

His closing remarks gave little indication whether snap polls would be called but analysts are saying that March 2008 would be about the right time for him to do so.

At a packed press conference later, Abdullah refused to say whether the rising global oil price was one of his major concerns in determing the election date.

'Nothing more to say'

The government is widely expected to further cut petrol subsidies early next year - an unpopular move which will increase domestic fuel price.

Asked if the election date is still a long way off, Abdullah brushed off the question: "Najib (Abdul Razak, his deputy) has already answered, what more do you want me to say?"

The prime minister has up to early 2009 to call for general elections but rumours of a snap poll have been making its rounds since late last year.

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang has earlier speculated that Nov 9 was one of the three possible dates for Abdullah to announce the dissolution of Parliament to pave way for elections.

Many delegates at the Umno general assembly this year have focused their speeches on the party's preparation in facing the coming elections.