Malaysian PM dissolves parliament ahead of election
Updated 3 April 2013, 18:02 AEST
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak says the king has accepted his request to dissolve parliament. (Credit: AFP)
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak says he has dissolved parliament, paving the way for a long-anticipated general election within weeks.
Mr Najib, whose ruling coalition faces a resurgent opposition challenging its 56-year rule, made the announcement in a televised address on Wednesday.
"The king has accepted my request to dissolve parliament effective April 3," Mr Najib said from the administrative capital Putrajaya.
"This dissolution will pave the way for the 13th general election."
The Election Commission is expected to shortly meet to decide on a date for the poll.
Mr Najib's Barisan Nasional coalition lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time in 2008 elections.
It faces a confident three-party opposition alliance led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Mr Najib had been expected to call the election as early as 2011, but has delayed holding the polls as he seeks to shore up his support and convince Malaysians his economic and political reforms are bearing fruit.
The 59-year-old is aiming to push the developing Southeast Asian nation into high-income status by 2020 through an ambitious $444 billion economic transformation program.
Reuters
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