No assembly dissolved yet

Not taking chances: Some states are steadfast against dissolving their state assemblies as they want to focus on flood preparations during the northeast monsoon season. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: No state has yet to dissolve its state assembly despite the Parliament dissolution, although requests have been made with the respective Palaces.

This is probably the first time in history that the country is at such crossroads, waiting for the peninsula state assemblies to dissolve after the dissolution of Parliament on Oct 10.

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To date, six states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Penang – have maintained the stand that they will not be dissolved to hold state polls this year, along with the parliamentary polls.

However, DAP-ruled Penang’s decision is still not official yet, as top DAP leaders now say Pakatan Harapan should rethink that decision for the sake of the people.

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Political analysts say Barisan Nasional had controlled the Federal government and most state governments before 2008.

However, this power balance changed after that and under the laws, the Prime Minister has no say over the states’ decisions.

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Yesterday, PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party remains steadfast in not dissolving the state assemblies of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu which are under its rule.

In a statement issued after the PAS Central Working Committee meeting held yesterday at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Abdul Hadi said the party would also finalise seat distribution and further strengthen its cooperation with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in Perikatan Nasional.

“The PAS CWC meeting has decided that it remains in its stand not to dissolve the state assemblies of Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.

“We have also decided that we will strengthen the cooperation in Perikatan Nasional to face the 15th General Election, on the principle of uniting the ummah (Muslims).

“The discussion on seat distribution in the states will be finalised.

“The list of PAS candidates from the states will be vetted through by the Syura Ulama Council,” said Abdul Hadi.

PAS had before the Parliament dissolution stated that it will not dissolve state assemblies under its rule until March next year to concentrate on preparations for the floods during the northeast monsoon season which will hit the states mid-November and March next year. However, there have been some voices for the state assemblies to be dissolved due to state elections being costly to be held on their own and not during the general election.

Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the state is prone to floods during the end of the year.

“Let the state government focus on economic recovery, flood preparations and making new policies to assist the poor people.

“Otherwise, the state would not be able to make new policies after dissolution, and we still have many agendas on the table to be implemented until the term ends,” said he after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said he would concentrate on flood preparations and economic recovery.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, when contacted, also confirmed that the state assembly would also not be dissolved.

In Perak, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad was given an audience by Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah on Wednesday but consent to dissolve the state assembly has not been given.

Perak opposition Keranji state assemblyman Chong Zhemin said yesterday that the anti-party hopping law must be passed at an emergency sitting before the state assembly is dissolved.

“Saarani’s statement that it need not be so is a manifestation of his fear that Barisan will not win a simple majority of 30 seats should the law be passed before dissolution.

“The Perak state government has fallen twice due to party hopping by state assemblymen and people are fed up,” said Chong.

Perak state government fell when state assemblymen changed their allegiance in 2009 and 2020.

In Penang, Pakatan Harapan has stated that it would not dissolve the state assembly this year, but there seem to be some disagreements among DAP party leaders on this decision.

Pakatan presidential council has yet to finalise the decision with an official statement.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s political science expert Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian suggested Parliament and state elections should be held together to avoid fatigue among voters.

“Voters will be tired of having to come out twice to vote, besides the cost and election management by the Election Commission and other agencies,” said Sivamurugan.

Constitution law expert Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram said that despite it being the first time peninsula states are not dissolving their assemblies in line with the dissolution of parliament, such a move is all according to the Federal Constitution.

“State and Federal elections need not be held simultaneously.

“It all depends on the date of the last election. ... the state assembly will automatically dissolve on reaching five years from the date it first convened after the last GE.

“The ultimate discretion to dissolve is with their Royal Highnesses for each of their respective states,” said Sri Ram.