Malaysian PM calls for unity ahead of likely polls

Malaysia's prime minister called for unity at a convention of government leaders Sunday ahead of widely expected early general elections, saying with the right support his multiracial coalition could rule another 50 years.

Prime Minister Najib Razak appealed to leaders of his National Front coalition to work together to crush the opposition. He is widely expected to call elections next year, ahead of their scheduled date in 2013.

"We must find a new formula to secure a big win ... and should not let anyone destroy this country," he told more than 2,000 delegates. "With your support ... we shall rule another 50 years."

The National Front has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957 but conceded unprecedented losses to a resurgent opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim during the last general elections in 2008.

Since then, Najib has been struggling to regain support, especially from ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, who voted against the coalition amid complaints of economic and social discrimination.

On Sunday, flanked by ethnic Chinese and Indian leaders, Najib renewed his pledge to protect all races.

The National Front consists of 13 parties, many of them race-based.

Malaysia consists of Malay Muslims, who make up two-thirds of the country's 28 million people, and large ethnic Chinese and Indian non-Muslim communities. Najib is a Malay Muslim.