[UPDATED] Penang, Negri Sembilan, Selangor to dissolve assemblies only in 2023: Pakatan

KUALA LUMPUR – Amidst rumours of an impending general election, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) state administrations of Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan have decided they will only dissolve their respective assemblies in 2023.

In a brief statement today, the PH presidential council said this was due to concerns raised by the heads of government in each state that the 15th general election would be called when the country faces the year-end flood season.

“Therefore, the presidential council accepts the view given by each respective Menteri Besar of Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan, for the state elections to be held in 2023 with the exact dates to be announced at a later time,” said the statement signed by all PH party heads.

Across the board, PH lawmakers have rejected a general election to be called during the monsoon season, raising concerns over polling occurring during floods.

PH’s announcement today came after a flurry of speculation that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will likely dissolve Parliament soon after he has tabled the federal budget which is scheduled this coming Friday.

Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the main proponent of snap polls, has said his coalition is ready to campaign in the floods if a general election is set during the monsoon season.

Zahid had also reiterated yesterday that he is confident that the general election will be called before the year-end flood season. – The Vibes, October 5, 2022