The opposition Islamic party PAS today predicted that general elections would be held next month, before Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad retires in October.

An election is due only by the end of 2004, but there has been widespread speculation that it will be held early.

Some observers expect the vote to come soon after Mahathir hands over to his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, however, not before.

PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali told the official Bernama news agency: "We are ready at any time. We expect it (general election) to be held this September."

He said the allocation of seats among component parties of an opposition pact had almost been settled and that PAS would also field candidates in non-Muslim areas, a change of tactics from the last election in 1999.

PAS made inroads

Muslim Malays make up some 60 percent of the population of 23 million, while 27 percent are ethnic Chinese and seven percent are ethnic Indians.

Mahathir's United Malays National Organisation (Umno) is the leading partner in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which includes Chinese and Indian parties. Mahathir has been in power for 22 years.

PAS, which rules the northern states of Kelantan and Terengganu, wants to introduce strict Shariah criminal law that prescribes amputation and death by stoning for some crimes.

While PAS made inroads into Umno's support among the Malays in the last election, it is seen as unlikely to garner much support from the large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities. - AFP