Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Anwar Ibrahim believes that Barisan Nasional (BN) will call for an early election, which could either be at the end of this year or beginning of 2008.

"There are indications that they will call for the elections earlier," he told malaysiakini when met at the Grand Continental Hotel in Kuching early this week.

According to Anwar, BN is losing support throughout the country because of its weak leadership.

"They have to call for an early election because support is declining," he said, adding that media reports on the economic growth were far from the truth.

"I would have to go into details to elaborate about this but the whole thing (media reports) is not the real picture," he said.

If the elections are held before April 2008, Anwar will not be able to contest due to his five-year ban from active politics.

The PKR leader also took a swipe at Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud when asked about the latter's decision to remain in power.

"It is an insult to the intelligence of Sarawakians that there is nobody good enough to replace him after more than 20 years in power," he said.

Anwar was also asked on reports that he will be made PKR president, taking over from his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"I would have to consider and study the nominations," he replied.

Last week, malaysiakini reported that Anwar will have to appeal to the Registrar of Societies to exempt him or reduce the five-year ban in order for him to become president.

Najib attacked

Speaking at a ceramah in Kuching later, Anwar singled out Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for criticism.

Among others, he reiterated that Najib, who is also defence minister, must clear the air concerning the gruesome murder of Mongolian national Altantunya Shariibu.

Renowned political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda, who is a close associate of the deputy premier, was one of those charged in connection with the case.

"I am not making an accusation but Najib must make it clear if he knew Altantunya," he said, referring to the many speculations concerning the case.

Apart from this, Anwar also highlighted the controversial distribution of commission for the purchase of submarines and fighter jets.

His attacks on Najib also fueled speculations that Anwar is allegedly teaming up with Khairy to oust the deputy premier.

On a lighter note, Anwar advised Sarawakians to watch Hindi movies rather than 'wasting their time' with the RTM news.

The former deputy premier also described the Education Ministry as a failure because there are still schools without basic amenities like water and electricity.

"After that, they send computers to these schools without electricity, without electricity how to use computer?" he asked, drawing laughter from the crowd.