Najib Razak said today it has neither been a practice nor was it a constitutional provision to give up to three months' notice before a general election to enable contesting political parties to prepare themselves.

The prime minister was responding to a statement by PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat to announce a general election at least three months before it was held so that political parties could prepare for it.

"We have never given three months (notice) and (this is) never, never a part of the constitutional provision (and) neither has it been a practice," Najib told reporters when asked to comment on the statement by Nik Aziz.

Earlier, Najib, who is also BN chairman, opened the 57th general meeting of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) at the Putra World Trade Centre.

tian Chua case: 'We'll wait'

Najib was also asked about the position of PKR Batu MP Tian Chua following the High Court's reduction of his penalty for biting a policeman in December 2007 from a fine of RM3,000 and a six-month jail sentence to only a fine of RM2,000.

"We will see the interpretation. There are two interpretations now. If we look at the judgment, it is inclined towards not holding a by-election because the judge says it will be a waste of public funds.

"However, we will see the best way to resolve this. We will have to see the constitutional interpretation and (come up with) the best solution," he said.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh had said that Tian Chua's Batu parliamentary seat should be declared vacant in accordance with Article 48(1)(e) of the Federal Constitution, which stated that a member of parliament is disqualified if he or she is sentenced to a jail term of not less than one year or a fine of not less than RM2,000 and he or she does not get a pardon.

- Bernama