Malaysian premier dissolves parliament, calls new elections
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Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak dissolved parliament Wednesday, paving the way for an election anticipated to be one of the toughest the ruling coalition has faced.
The election commission was to meet immediately to set the date for the ballot, which will also elect members of federal parliament and states' assemblies.
Najib urged political parties to be responsible and respect the electoral process.
"Learn from the mistakes of other countries," he said in a televised message. "The results of the elections in such countries were not accepted. The governments that were elected were rejected. The countries became unstable.
"While other countries have stumbled, Malaysia has leapt ahead," he said. "The economy has gone from strength to strength and freedoms have been expanded." Analysts said the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front), in power since 1957, faces a challenge from the Anwar Ibrahim-led Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance).//DPA
