Malaysian PM dissolves parliament

---

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolved parliament Wednesday to pave the way for snap elections which are expected to see the ruling coalition's majority eroded.
Abdullah's popularity has plummeted as the nation is beset by mounting racial tensions, unprecedented street protests, anger over rising fuel and food prices, and high crime rates.
Announcing that the king had consented to dissolve parliament, Abdullah indicated he did not expect a repeat of the 2004 landslide when the Barisan Nasional coalition seized some 90 per cent of parliamentary seats.
"2004 was a special election and it was extraordinary. I pray that BN will get at least two-thirds of the votes in the upcoming election," he told a press conference.
"I hope voters will understand the issues affecting our country objectively," he said, adding that the Election Commission would decide on the polling date.
Voting must be held 60 days after parliament is dissolved, but the government traditionally allows just a two-week campaign period, which would mean the ballot in early March.
Abdullah appealed for calm during the campaign, in an apparent reference to a string of public rallies over the past few months which police have broken up with tear gas and water cannon.
Abdullah heads the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which leads the Barisan Nasional (National Front) multi-racial coalition that holds 200 of the 219 seats in parliament.