KUALA LUMPUR – Any decision to dissolve Parliament for the 15th general election in the near future will result in additional spending as certain states might elect to not participate in the “prematurely called” polls, said Datuk Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena-PH).
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat today, the Amanah vice-president said that since several states have stated their reluctance to dissolve their state assemblies before the end of their five-year term, there is a possibility of there being separate state and general elections.
“If the dissolution of Parliament is pushed for now, there may be states that will only hold their state elections after the end of their term in May next year,” he said, when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill.
He pointed out that such circumstances will cost the nation more.
Mahfuz also expressed his reservations with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s commitment to hold talks with top Umno leaders over the dissolution of Parliament as soon as the party is confident of securing victory at the federal level.
“During their recent general assembly, Umno had pushed the prime minister to immediately dissolve Parliament.
"It is very worrying to me that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri has announced his commitment to hold talks with top Umno leaders regarding the matter,” he said, alleging that such a decision implies that Umno’s powers precede that of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Stressing that the well-being of the people is of higher importance than political interests, he called on the prime minister to clarify his stand on the situation and added that foreign investors will be drawn to Malaysia only if there is a guarantee of political stability.
On March 17, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council had sharply hinted that states under its control may not follow the timing of a general election should it be called by the Umno-led federal government before it is legally due.
It said that Selangor, Penang, and Negri Sembilan will not move to dissolve their assemblies until their terms expire.
“This decision was made with due consideration to the economic situation still affecting the people with massive floods, the Covid-19 pandemic, low incomes, and the steeply rising cost of living.
“The presidential council emphasises that the focus of all efforts at this time should be on aiding the people and rejuvenating the economy,” it said in a statement. – The Vibes, March 22, 2022
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