Prime Minister and coalition chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, however, is not expected to make known the election date.

The meeting is also not expected to talk about the arrest of Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam confirmed the meeting, which will be attended by its top leaders, with discussions likely centred on election preparation for all component parties.

“It will be mostly on election pre­parations and machinery of all com­­ponent parties,” he said yesterday.

Asked if the issue of Shafie would be raised, Subramaniam said: “Only election matters.”

MyPPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas said the meeting was a follow-up from an earlier retreat in Janda Baik between Barisan component top party leaders.

“It is basically a conclusion from the retreat and we will mainly discuss preparedness for the general election. The date has been set much earlier and has nothing to do with other external matters,” he said.

“The meeting is expected to touch on polling stations and counting agents across the country and preparations made by all the parties.”

Asked if it will be the last one before the general election, Kayveas said “it is quite close, but I am unsure if this is the last one”.

It is understood that Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammud­din Hussein will also give a special briefing.

In Kuching, Parti Pesaka Bumi­putera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas also confirmed the meeting.

“The Barisan headquarters has invited 10 representatives from each Barisan component party to attend a briefing in Kuala Lumpur. With regard to what, I am not sure,” he told yesterday.

On the list of PBB candidates to be fielded in the coming general election, Uggah who is also Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, said the final list had yet to be decided.

“Talks are still ongoing between PBB president (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) and BN chairman (Najib). What I’m sure is, I will not contest,” he added.