ALOR SETAR: Perikatan Nasional-led state governments could hold their next state elections simultaneously with the 16th General Election (GE16), says Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
"It would make matters easier for the Election Commission (EC) and also for security personnel and election workers on duty.
"Otherwise, they would have to serve in shifts repeatedly for several elections. At times, it feels as though an entire year is spent managing elections alone," he told reporters in a press conference after launching the Kedah PAS election machinery at Kedah PAS Complex here on Friday (June 12) night.
Ahmad Samsuri, who is also Terengganu Mentri Besar, said the idea was in line with sentiments previously expressed by the State Government 4 (SG4) comprising Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis.
Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said that holding the state election simultaneously with GE16 would be efficient.
"It will be more cost-effective, and voters won’t have to return to their hometown to vote twice," said the PAS election director.
Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu chose not to dissolve their respective state assemblies during the 15th General Election (GE15) in 2022, resulting in separate state polls being held in August 2023.
Perlis was the only state that went to the polls simultaneously with GE15 after the then Barisan Nasional-led administration dissolved the state assembly to pave the way for a concurrent election.
On the new political alignment, Ahmad Samsuri said no decision has been made regarding any new political alignment, including Muafakat Nasional or with Reset, the new political and nation-building initiative spearheaded by former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
"Political parties frequently engage in discussions with one another. We have held discussions with Umno, and leaders from different parties.
"For now, we will continue to monitor developments before making any decision," he said.
He said all these matters would be discussed internally within PAS leadership first and then with the Perikatan supreme council before a decision on the next move would be made.
