The confirmation by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today that he would skip the G-15 Summit in Venezuela this weekend has fueled speculations that he would be calling for a general election anytime now.

Abdullah was scheduled to leave for Caracas tomorrow to attend the two-day summit beginning this Friday. He did not give any reason why he cancelled the trip.

Several newspapers had speculated over the past few days that the prime minister will dissolve Parliament before March 8 to pave the way for the country's 11th general election to be held in late next month or early April.

Utusan Malaysia said today that the prime minister's expected decision to cancel his trip to Caracas was because he was getting ready to announce the elections.

Don't keep us guessing

PAS central committee member Kamaruddin Jaafar, when contacted today, said everything seems to be pointing to the possibility of Abdullah announcing the election within this week.

"If Barisan Nasional is confident of winning, then Abdullah may decide to announce the election anytime now," said Kamaruddin, who is also the MP for Tumpat.

He said that he has received notice to attend the parliamentary session scheduled to start on March 8. The session is to be open by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

However, Abdullah has the option of cancelling the parliamentary session before it is due to meet and go for the polls.

"I hope Abdullah will not continue to keep the people guessing as to when the next general election will be held.

"If the prime minister continues with his guessing game, it will be a negative reflection of his authority as the country's top leader," he said.