GEORGE TOWN – Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) has organised a state emergency meeting this evening to discuss possible actions following the dissolution of Parliament earlier today.
It is learnt that some quarters have voiced out the possibility of holding an election in conjunction with the national one after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the formal dissolution of Parliament.
A state executive councillor, who declined to be named, informed The Vibes that some segments of the PH leadership here preferred a joint state and parliament election, as it saves cost, time and resources, especially on the part of the political parties.
A PKR lawmaker, who opted to remain anonymous, said that Penang has many outstation voters, and it would be asking too much of them to come back twice to vote in the election.
The meeting comes despite DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke reiterated that PH-led states of Penang, Negri Sembilan and Selangor would not be dissolved in tandem with the 15th general election (GE15).
Loke said that all three government administrations will instead focus on helping the rakyat to brace for the year-end flood season.
“DAP will continue to support the PH presidential council’s decision not to dissolve the Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan assemblies so that each of the state administrations can focus on facing any potential disasters,” he said in a statement today.
Earlier, the Penang MCA had slammed the DAP-led state government for their stance to hold the state elections separately if Parliament is dissolved within this year, as such a move would drive up the costs of conducting the 15th general election.
Its public complaints bureau head Ooi Teik Liang said that too much politicking on the part of PH would likely drive up the costs of conducting an election.
Referencing former deputy Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Wan Omar, that if the state and parliament elections are not held simultaneously, there will be an extra expense of RM350 million, Ooi said that voters would become annoyed if there is too much campaigning going on.
“Elections should be an efficient practice, not something which is drawn up over too long of a period,” Ooi said recently here.
Ooi, who is also the Padang Kota MCA parliamentary coordinator, said that the money paid by taxpayers will be needed to pay salaries, printing of ballots, logistics as well as state election banners.
“In addition to spending more, there will also be additional political campaigns to cater to for the state elections.
“The public will feel annoyed and tired of politics. If there are too many campaign activities, it will not bring any good, as it will affect daily lives.”
“It will also affect the mood and feelings of voters as well as the voter turnout,” said Ooi. – The Vibes, October 10, 2022
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