KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - PRIME Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the number of votes from Indians for the ruling party will likely drop in the coming polls, a report said on Sunday, amid increasing ethnic strife in Malaysia.

Ethnic Indians protested against alleged discrimination in Muslim-majority Malaysia in a mass rally in November that led to the indefinite detention of five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

When asked if the issues raised by Hindraf, which has made national headlines, would influence how Indians would vote in upcoming polls, Mr Abdullah told the Sunday Star newspaper: 'Yes, I think votes will be affected somewhat.'

Analysts say general elections could be held in March.

Ethnic Indians, who complain of a lack of job and educational opportunities, have been strong supporters of Mr Abdullah's National Front coalition since the country gained independence from Britain in 1957.

Mr Abdullah, who is also the finance minister, said he would address Indian grievances, which include the destruction of Hindu temples.

'I have given instruction that whatever grouses they have should be attended to,' he said. 'As for the Hindu temples, I have asked the chief minister to let the Hindu organisations decide for themselves how they intend to tackle the number of illegal temples in Selangor' state in central Malaysia.

Ethnic Indians make up 8.0 per cent of the country's population. Muslim Malays, who make up 60 per cent, control the government while the ethnic Chinese, at 26 per cent, dominate business.

Mr Abdullah also said he expected a tough fight in the elections in urban areas, where people were unhappy about price hikes for goods and transport.

Opposition leader, Lim Kit Siang of the Democratic Action Party, urged voters to deny Mr Abdullah's National Front coalition a two-thirds majority in parliament to allow the 'people's rights and genuine democracy the chance to flower and mature.'

Since independence, Malaysia has been ruled by the National Front - previously known as the Alliance party. -- AFP