KUALA LUMPUR: The separate state election dates announced by the Election Commission (EC) should not become an issue, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the decision on the dates lies within the rights and prerogative of the EC.
“No individual should express such a personal opinion, especially if they hold a position in the Cabinet.
“Even more so if that person is a senior leader of a party that is part of the current government,” he told reporters after officiating the 4th Southeast Asian Scholars Conference 2026 yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid was responding to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who had suggested a single polling date, preferably on a Sunday, rather than separate dates for the Johor and Negri Sembilan state polls.
Nga said it would have been easier for people to cast their ballots on a Sunday and return to work on Monday.
“While the EC’s decision clearly shows that the Madani government does not interfere in its decisions, the commission must act transparently, fairly and impartially.
“They are independent, but it does not mean they are not accountable,” he told reporters yesterday.
The Johor state polls will be held on July 11, while the Negri Sembilan polls will be on Aug 1.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the separate polling dates do not give Barisan Nasional an edge over Pakatan Harapan or other parties.
The Umno vice-president noted that Barisan and its component parties must rely on their own strength to secure the rakyat’s mandate.
“The question of the polling dates for the two states does not arise as this was decided by the EC,” he told reporters after launching the Jiwa Murni programme at SK Johor Kampung yesterday.
