Reasons cited for holding polls...
...this year
Government may need to raise fuel prices next year.
Inflation is expected to worsen.
Chinese support may drop due to their perception that the government is handling poorly the economy, crime rate, and race and religious issues.
Fear that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad may resume his attacks on Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi when he recovers fully from heart surgery.
Stop opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim from taking part as an election ban on him expires only on April 15.
...next year
Datuk Seri Abdullah wants to make the ground sweeter by pushing big projects in mostly rural areas and raising economic growth.
Keeping with tradition as the Barisan Nasional (BN) has never gone to the polls until it completes four years of its five-year term.
Datuk Seri Abdullah wants to improve the government's record on fighting crime and corruption.
The annual end-of-year moonsoon season and flooding in the east coast.