It is unlikely that the general election will be held this year in view of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's packed year-end schedule, according to Chinese newspaper Oriental Daily News .

The report, over the weekend, cast doubts over the constant rumours that the premier would call for a snap polls this year to coincide with the 50th Merdeka celebrations.

The daily said Abdullah is slated to attend many important functions locally and abroad between October and December with little breathing room in between.

In two weeks, Abdullah has to unveil the Eastern Corridor Economic Region (ECER), a project aimed at spurring the economy of the east coast states comprising Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

Following this, he would have to attend the Umno annual general assembly in Kuala Lumpur between Nov 5 to 9 as president of the party.

Oriental Daily News predicted that the assembly would be the last before the coming general election.

Abdullah would then have two major international engagements, namely the Asean Summit in Singapore and the Commonwealth Head of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) in Uganda.

The Asean Summit is of special importance as 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the regional body's formation and the signing of the Asean Charter, which would take place between Nov 19 to 21.

Monsoon Cup

After a two-day rest, Abdullah would fly to Uganda for the CHOGM meet where leaders from 54 countries would convene until Nov 25.

Abdullah would then attend the 2007 Monsoon Cup which is scheduled to take place between Nov 28 until Dec 2.

The Monsoon Cup is Abdullah's brainchild and is run by close associate, businessman Patrick Lim through events organiser T-Best Events.

Between Dec 4 to 8, Abdullah is expected to play host to more than 488 guest from 63 countries at the Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace Exhibition (Lima).

Representatives from six countries which were invited to the event for the first time are Iran, Kuwait, Spain, Ukraine, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

In addition, Oriental Daily News explained that mid-December coincides with the haj and monsoon season, which would hamper turnout should polls be held then.