By Jonathan Kent BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur

Analysts expect voters to rally behind the prime minister

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi made the announcement in a brief statement through national news agency Bernama.

A final date for the vote has yet to be set, but it is widely expected to be on 20 or 21 March.

The polls - Malaysia's 11th general election - are widely seen as a referendum on the agenda set by the country's new leader.

The campaign is not likely to begin in earnest until nominations close.

It is predicted that will happen just eight days before the polls, which would make this the shortest contest in Malaysia's history.

Margin critical

When the country last voted in 1999, the coalition government suffered one of its worst setbacks in its 47 years in power.

However, this time, the opposition can expect a much tougher task.

The economy is in far better shape than it was four-and-a-half years ago and the issue of the arrest and jailing of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, no longer looms as large.

They also face a new prime minister and Malaysians have historically swung behind incoming leaders.

The government-controlled media is unlikely to devote much space to opposition views and the police are generally slow to give the government's opponents permission to organise meetings.

Though the government is almost certain to win, the margin of victory will be critical.

Without strong gains, the new prime minister is unlikely to be able to see through his anti-corruption campaign.