PETALING JAYA: The flags of various political parties are already up never mind that Malaysians have no idea when the general election will be held.

It is still a guessing game but the consensus is that the elections are very near. Hence, the start of the flag war.

The parties on both sides of the political divide have been flying their flags in all parts of the country, in both rural and urban areas, including the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak fuelled speculation while keeping his options open at the mammoth Umno gathering at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Friday.

He told the 100,000 assembled that he felt like seeking an audience with the King to call for polls and wanted to know if they were ready for the polls in June. When they roared their approval, he teasingly asked: What about next year?

Both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat campaigners believe the general election is near, although they argue whether the polls would be in June, July or September.

PKR and PAS are of the opinion that the elections will be held between June and the beginning of Ramadan, which is July 21.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, on the other hand, said he would call for polls after Hari Raya if he were still prime minister.

Some Barisan members cast the net wider, saying the election will be held within the next 100 days.

On Sunday, Sabah and Sarawak politicians urged the Prime Minister and Barisan chairman not to hold the polls in June, saying they would still be busy celebrating their traditional festivals of Pesta Kaamatan in Sabah and Gawai Dayak in Sarawak.

For the record, the country has never held a general election in June.

Some quarters rule out a June election because Parliament will be in session from June 11 to 28, but Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee pointed out that Parliament may be dissolved even while in session, as was done for the 1999 general election.

The Election Commission said the Prime Minister has the prerogative to ask the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament any time before April 24, 2013 when its term expires.

PKR vice-president Tian Chua described the speculation over the election date as “ridiculous and tiring”, and added: “The Prime Minister would do everyone a great favour if he were to make known the election date now.”

PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali believes the elections have not been called because the Prime Minister was aware that Pakatan would not dissolve the Selangor state assembly if polls were to be held now.

Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor said the component parties should be ready for the elections at any time.

An Indian numerologist, meanwhile, said June and July were “not good months” for someone like Najib who is partial to the number 11. According to him, April 2013 would be the best time for him to call for polls... - STARONLINE

MALAYSIA NEWS GENERAL ELECTION