PAS: No plans to dissolve state assemblies

KUALA NERUS: PAS is still maintaining its earlier decision not to dissolve the state assemblies of Terengganu, Kedah and Kelantan this year, even though a final decision on the matter will be made at a central-level monthly meeting tomorrow, says PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.

He said the party was still monitoring the current political developments and the decision would take into consideration all aspects, reported Bernama.

“Initially, the Saturday meeting was a regular monthly meeting on the first week of each month.

“But because of the current political situation, we will discuss the matter (dissolution of the assembly).

“We will finalise the decision on Saturday. But so far, I understand our three states will not be dissolved if there is a dissolution of Parliament soon,” he said after attending a programme here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah also reiterated that the Kelantan assembly would continue to function until the end of its term.

“PAS has decided that the assemblies of Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah will not be dissolved if Parliament is dissolved this year.

“We will wait for next year and unless Parliament is dissolved next year, we will dissolve at the same time,” he told reporters in Tumpat.

In George Town, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government would follow the decision of the central leadership of Pakatan Harapan to not dissolve the state assembly this year if GE15 was called soon.

“Our stand will follow the leadership’s stand as announced,” he told a press conference in Komtar.

On Wednesday, Chow said that Penang’s Budget 2023 would be tabled on Nov 4 as scheduled.

He said a notice on the budget’s presentation had also been issued and its date could not be simply changed.

Pakatan had earlier confirmed that Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan would not hold their state polls this year given the possibility of the year-end floods.

The coalition’s chairman, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said the three states will not go along if GE15 is called soon.