(The Star) - Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said Saturday he would consult the Attorney-General over a proposal to have the general election held only upon completion of the five-year mandate of the government.

He said the matter had to be referred to the attorney-general to determine whether the Federal Constitution has to be amended or otherwise.

"I want to seek the advice of the Attorney-General on how to go about it, whether it is necessary to amend the Federal Constitution it would be sufficient to use provisions under the Election Commission regulations," he told reporters after launching a community programme in Kampung Tanah Merah, here.

Mohamed Nazri said a general election held after completion of the five-year mandate of the government would not interfere with programmes of the government to be implemented over a five-year period.

He also said that a general election held upon completion of the five-year mandate would negate opposition claims that the all government aid for the people was designed to fish for votes in the general election near at hand.

"On the contrary, the government fulfils its responsibility of assisting the people. We give all kinds of aid, not just because the general election is near," he said.

Mohamed Nazri had said in the Dewan Rakyat that the government was contemplating holding on to its five-year mandate before calling for the next general election, which was due in April next year.

He had said that he personally subscribed to the idea and was prepared to be the catalyst to achieve that objective.