Members of the ruling Barisan Nasional met this morning to finalise their preparations for the general election, expected to be held by this April.

The three-hour meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, discussed at length its election machinery, which the premier said was at a satisfactory level.

He added later that he was confident of doing well in the elections as the coalition was "strong" at the moment.

"There are no problems, there was unanimous agreement to all the names proposed at (the) Parliament and state levels," he told reporters after the meeting.

"We are all united, our positions and the relationship between the BN component parties are good, we are working together very well," he said.

To work harder

However when asked to confirm the date of the general election, Abdullah replied that he was waiting for an appropriate time so that the coalition will be "stronger".

"We are waiting for the date now. Nobody knows when that will be ... but for now everyone will have to work harder," he said.

The premier also said that the 14-member coalition had not discussed the issue of seat allocations.

"It's a sensitive subject. If we discuss it now, the meeting would not be over yet," he added.

Meanwhile, the coalition partners also endorsed the appointment of Najib Abdul Razak as deputy prime minister.

The premier also announced the voluntary resignation of BN secretary-general Mohamed Rahmat (right) with immediate effect. His post will be assumed by Umno secretary-general and Information Minister Khalil Yaakob.

As for the post of treasurer, formerly held by ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah said he had offered himself.

Abdullah said the coalition approved the steps taken by his government since he came into power on Nov 1 following Mahathir's retirement.

Met later, MIC president S Samy Vellu said the elections could be announced at any time since BN has laid down all the necessary details.

"Actually this is the final step. We have already done everything, from appointing our election coordinators and committee. All we need to do now is wait for the flag to come up," he added.

Official wings

The BN Youth supreme council also met today to discuss the impending general election.

BN and Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussien told reporters that the amendments made to the coalition's constitution last year had been approved by the Registrar of Societies.

He explained that BN's Youth and Wanita wings were now accepted as the official wings of the ruling coalition.

"With this announcement, it shows that it is not just the leaders, but also the youth who get to cooperate (with BN) to fulfill a bigger agenda other than winning the elections, such as a realising our vision of a united and advanced country," he said.