Malaysia's Sarawak state legislature will be dissolved on Monday, its chief minister was quoted as saying on Saturday, paving the way for polls that could trigger an early general election.
Sarawak's chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud was quoted by the New Straits Times newspaper as making the comment in a mobile phone text message.
The Sarawak state poll is seen as a barometer of public support for Prime Minister Najib Razak's government, and is expected to influence the timing and outcome of a general elections which could be held this year.
The Malaysian Election Commission will next meet to set the polling date, which must not be later than 60 days from the day of the legislature's dissolution.
