Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in remarks published today he was "happy" with his progress as he prepared to mark 100 days in office next week but gave no clue as to when he would call elections.

Abdullah, successor to Dr Mahathir Mohamad who retired on October 31 after 22 years in office, said in an interview with newspaper editors that new policies and his pledge to combat corruption had instilled confidence among the public.

The moves were not aimed at winning votes, he stressed.

Support out there

"I know the expectations are high. I know there is readiness to support and welcome these changes. I have a duty to deliver what I had promised, they are not just populist approaches," he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star.

Corruption is not a chronic problem but the government must "crack down before it becomes gangrenous" and it will only succeed by changing the people's mindset, he said.

Abdullah said he has told members of his United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the linchpin of the ruling coalition, not to be overconfident in upcoming general elections.

"I know we will win but if we work hard, we will ensure a bigger win. It's like doing homework. You know you will get a 'P' (pass) but if you work hard, you might get an 'A'," he said.

The Star said Abdullah dropped a hint that elections may not be held in March as widely expected as he would be travelling to Iran and Venezuela at the end of the month.

He said he was "still watching the situation." Elections must be held within 60 days after the premier annuls parliament.

The elections will be the first test for Abdullah, who faces a threat from the hardline Islamic Party (PAS) which wrested control of a second state and tripled its parliamentary seats to 27 at the expense of Umno in 1999 polls.

Analysts have warned that any significant loss of support to PAS could lead to a challenge to Abdullah for the Umno leadership and stoke fears of a rise of Islamic extremism.

Contentious issues

In the interview to mark his 100 days in office on February 7, Abdullah also said it was time for Malaysia and Singapore to return to the negotiation table to resolve a deadlock on contentious issues.

However, he said issues should not be discussed as one package as it would complicate efforts.

"The mood is good. They are ready to talk and we are ready to talk. Let's deal with the less difficult ones first and address the difficult ones later," he said.

Abdullah pledged that Malaysia would be transparent if it were hit by a deadly bird flu spreading across Asia. All precautionary measures have been taken and the government would "not play around" with matters affecting public health, he said. - AFP