Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad may call a snap election in July, said an opposition leader today.

DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock said that, while it is widely expected that the next general election would be held after Mahathir's resignation in October, the prime minister might just do the "illogical and dissolve Parliament in July".

"It is indeed o­nly logical that the prime minister, after announcing his date of retirement, should allow his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to lead the next electoral battle and seek the necessary mandate for himself and his new policies," Kerk said in a press statement.

"Nevertheless, the increasing intra- and inter-Barisan Nasional component parties divisions, especially the internal Umno power tussles, will be a key factor which may influence the prime minister to decide to call an early general election before he retires so that he can personally lead the battle and ensure BN's chances of a landslide win."

The next general election is not due until November 2004 but many political observers expect it to be called sometime this year.

Under the parliamentary system, the timing of the poll is the prerogative of the prime minister.

Prepare for battle

According to Kerk, DAP has received information that the ruling BN coalition has started its electoral preparations, with July as its targeted month for dissolution of Parliament.

He noted that a number of interesting signs point to a July poll.

"Till today, the prime minister has not denied the speculation that the Parliament may be dissolved before his retirement," he said.

In addition, the Election Commission will 'rush' its electoral boundary changes through Parliament in late March, rather than wait for the July session.

The opposition leader said that the EC has also indicated its readiness to conduct an early general election, as the new electoral rolls will be ready in June.

Under the redelineation of electoral boundaries, the EC had proposed 25 additional parliamentary and 59 state seats.