KUALA LUMPUR The United Malays National Organisation (Umno) has postponed its triennial party polls in June to focus on the impending general election, reports said Saturday.

Umno president and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was quoted by The Star as saying that the move was to ensure all members devote their time and energy to the general election which must be called by November 2004.

The decision was made late Friday by the Umno supreme council, which was empowered to postpone party polls for up to 18 months.

"The party elections will only be held after the general election which we do not know when but it will definitely be held," Mahathir said.

"We do not want to obstruct party members. We hope the postponement will give them time to work hard and be prepared for the general election."

Three million members

With some three million members, Umno is the lynchpin of the ruling National Front coalition of racially-based parties.

It has similarly in 1999 postponed party polls to prepare for the general election which was called in November that year. Umno held its internal elections six months later.

There has been talk of an early general election next year either before or after Mahathir, 76, steps down in October 2003 after 22 years at the helm. AFP