‘Six states may hold state elections simultaneously’

SHAH ALAM: Selangor and five other state governments are in the midst of informal discussions on holding state elections simultaneously next year as part of a cost-cutting measure, says Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

The Gombak MP said that informal discussions with the state governments of Penang and Negri Sembilan, as well as the PAS-led states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu for a joint dissolution were ongoing to enable state elections to take place at the same time.

“In principle, Selangor and the other state leaders hope to dissolve simultaneously so that state elections can be held quicker and without incurring higher costs.

“This is not about winning or losing, but looking at the costs, manpower and other considerations,” added Amirudin on the sidelines of the Selangor state assembly yesterday.

He added that although there was no timeline for when the joint dissolution could take place, there was a likelihood that the state elections may be held after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations next year.

The timing, said Amirudin, will depend on the weather and the situation of the Federal Government.

The recent 15th General Election (GE15) only saw three states – Pahang, Perak and Perlis – having concurrent state polls.

Sabah, Melaka, Johor and Sarawak had already held their state elections prior to GE15, while Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Penang opted to sit it out.

Amirudin said that the six latter states did not dissolve the state assemblies in the last general election as there were no informal discussions held among the six earlier.