Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad may call a snap election in July, said an opposition leader today.

DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock said that, while it is widely expected that the next general election would be held after Mahathir's resignation in October, the prime minister might just do the "illogical and dissolve Parliament in July".

"It is indeed o­nly logical that the prime minister, after announcing his date of retirement, should allow his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to lead the next electoral battle and seek the necessary mandate for himself and his new policies," Kerk said in a press statement.

"Nevertheless, the increasing intra- and inter-Barisan Nasional component parties divisions, especially the internal Umno power tussles, will be a key factor which may influence the prime minister to decide to call an early general election before he retires so that he can personally lead the battle and ensure BN's chances of a landslide win."

The next general election is not due until November 2004 but many political observers expect it to be called sometime this year.

Under the parliamentary system, the timing of the poll is the prerogative of the prime minister.