KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declined to quash rampant speculation he will dissolving Parliament on Feb. 13, paving the way for a general election as early as March 1, local media said on Sunday.

'Up to you ... if you want to link number 13, you can link,' the national Bernama news agency quoted Mr Abdullah as telling reporters.

He added that number 13 was his lucky number, Bernama said. Even his official car has that number on the licence plate.

Though not due until 2009, political analysts expect Mr Abdullah to call an election next month, before the economy begins to slow and inflation picks up.

Mr Abdullah, who took over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad in late 2003, led his ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to a record victory in 2004 elections on a pledge to clean up government.

But he said recently the 14-party coalition was unlikely to repeat its 2004 performance due to what analysts say is growing unease over rising living costs. -- REUTERS