Perak Menteri Besar Tajol Rosli Ghazali today told Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to be prepared for the general election on the assumption that Parliament will be dissolved by April 12.

He said the date will coincide with the last day for the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly and that the general election could be held simultaneously with the Sabah state elections.

"The prime minister may dissolve the Parliament earlier. By assuming that Parliament would be dissolved by April 12, BN would be more prepared for the elections," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

On the list of Umno candidates, Tajol Rosli who is the Perak Umno liaison committee chairperson said it would be drawn up after the premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announces the dissolution of Parliament.

He said although the state Umno liaison committees can submit the list of their candidates, the prime minister has the final say.

Pundits have speculated that the polls could be called as early as next month.

Act promptly

Earlier when opening a seminar for civil servants, Tajol Rosli called on government officers to promptly act on problems brought to their attention by the public.

"Deal with these issues promptly before the people pass their judgement on me and my executive councillors. It is also their (government officers') joint-responsibility," he said.

He also advised government officers to air their views on any shortcomings in his administration.

"If the leadership fails to shoulder the mandate given by the people, then the people have every right to withdraw their trust.

"As a state government leader, I do not want to be lulled into complacency by praises as the priority is on accurate and true reports from all civil servants, in terms of their work and duties, in efforts to develop the state," he added.