KUALA LUMPUR: Any decision on dissolving state assemblies or the timing of elections must strictly adhere to the law and the principles of the Federal Constitution, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Dr Wee was commenting on speculation that elections may be called in October, following remarks by Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli that early polls could be held then due to a Negri Sembilan political crisis.
"Rafizi says recently that it is as though we are forcing the Prime Minister to call for a general election in October, I disagree," he said.
"For me, any allocation or decision made by a state government must follow the law. Any dissolution must be in line with principles and the constitution.
"We abide by the constitution. If the referee has blown the whistle for us to have an election, then we comply," he told reporters at a book launch at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology on Monday (May 4).
He was at the launch of "Engaging a Generation: Voting Intention and Political Participation Among Malaysian Millennials" by Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew.
In a podcast on May 2, Rafizi said the Negri Sembilan political crisis could be a strategy by Umno to force a general election by October this year.
Dr Wee said election timing should not be left to speculation.
"There's no issue of when, because from now on, elections - whether state, federal, or held simultaneously or separately - can be called at any time.
"This is not something we prepare for only in response to certain incidents, or just because someone says October or November," he said.
"Politics is dynamic. It is not something fixed or set in stone," he added.
Asked if early elections would benefit the government, Dr Wee said anyone calling for an election would consider whether it provides an advantage.
"Only those in power can request a dissolution, and that's the system in our democracy - the Westminster system," he said.
He said election timing varies and is not new in Malaysia, citing terms such as three years and eight months or four years and three months.
"As a party, we are always prepared to face the people's new mandate at any time," he added.
On May 3, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Barisan Nasional was almost certain to go solo in the 16th general election but would not contest all 222 parliamentary seats.
