Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, seeking a fresh mandate since taking over at the helm last October, faces tough challenge in the general election in the form of opposition Islamic party PAS.

PAS controls two out of 13 states and tripled its parliamentary seats in the 1999 polls, riding a wave of discontent with a ruling party accused of arrogance and corruption bred by its undisputed hold on power since independence from Britain in 1957.

Analysts have warned any significant loss of support to PAS, which competes for the votes of the Malay Muslim majority, could lead to a challenge to Abdullah for the leadership of Umno and thus the premiership.

Abdullah, who took over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad, announced today that the Parliament will be dissolved tomorrow, eight months before the end of the five-year term.

By law, the general election will have to be called within 60 days but many speculate that it will be called by the end of this month.

The early election also will also allow Abdullah to capitalise on the welcome given to his pledges to fight corruption, although his "Mr Clean" image has been tarnished recently by opposition charges that police whitewashed a probe into allegations his son was involved in the international nuclear black market network.

Power brokers

Elections for state assemblies will be held in 12 states simultaneously with those for parliament. PAS, which controls north-eastern Kelantan and Terrenganu, has set its sights on taking four more states.

PAS stands little chance of forming a federal government, however, as the large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities hold the balance of power and are unlikely to support the party's Islamic agenda.

The main Chinese and Indian parties are among 12 which form the ruling National Front coalition under Umno's leadership. Out of the total of 194 seats in the outgoing parliament, the National Front held 150 seats, including Umno's 72, while PAS held 26.

PAS's gains in the last election were also attributed to anger over the 1998 sacking and jailing of Mahathir's popular deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, but that issue has faded from centre-stage.

Abdullah has instead focused on the accusations of corruption and cronyism among the ruling elite, proclaiming the fight against graft to be a priority for his administration.

A cabinet minister and a business tycoon have already been dragged to court over long-running scandals, but the opposition are sceptical of Abdullah's willingness or ability to take on the heavyweights within the establishment.

Abdullah, known by his supporters as "Mr Nice Guy", has a less confrontational style than the outspoken and abrasive Mahathir, but has faced doubts about his ability to unite the often fractious Umno and rally voters.

The election will be his first real test and will be watched closely for signs of growing Islamic militancy or any change in the electorate's view of the National Front since Mahathir's departure.

Mahathir is not standing for re-election to parliament, to which he was first elected in 1964. - AFP