Seeing eye to eye: Fahmi (left) and Tuan Ibrahim (right) both say that simultaneous state elections in the six states would save on costs.
PETALING JAYA: The target of holding simultaneous polls in the six states concerned seems to be heading in the right direction, with both sides of the political divide indicating their willingness to do so.
Top officials of Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, although at loggerheads politically, are seeing “eye to eye” on the benefits of holding the polls at the same time.
Pakatan Harapan information chief Fahmi Fadzil said it would be better to hold the state elections for Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah simultaneously to save costs and time.
He said while choosing a specific date would be the prerogative of the chief executive of each state, he said all important dates or events would be considered.
“Many of the leaders have indicated when is a good time (to hold the state polls),” Fahmi, who is the Communications and Digital Minister, told The Star yesterday.
Asked whether the partners within the unity government would be able to reach a consensus on matters relating to the state polls, Fahmi answered in the affirmative.
“I believe we will be able to reach a consensus because the process is proceeding well so far,” he added.
Over on the other side, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man concurred, also saying that holding simultaneous polls would save costs and make things easier for all involved.
“It also depends on Pakatan, which is helming three states,” he said, referring to Penang, Selangor and Negri.
Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah are ruled by PAS, which is a component of Perikatan.
Tuan Ibrahim said all factors would be taken into account in setting the date for the state polls.
These would include the school exam season and the upcoming Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri observances.
The Ramadan month is expected to begin on March 22 with Hari Raya predicted on April 22.
Tuan Ibrahim, a former Cabinet minister, said the appropriate timing would be finalised by the PAS leadership.
“The election committee will also hold further consultation,” he said.
On whether there have been discussions within Perikatan on matters such as seat distribution, he said this had not yet begun.
“The state-level Perikatan will coordinate the launch of their own state election machinery,” he said.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said Perikatan “can agree to having simultaneous state polls”.
He said this would depend on when the six states would be dissolving their legislative assemblies as the due date differed between each state.
Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu emphasised Perikatan’s “rakyat first” commitment in the state polls.
The six states did not dissolve their state assemblies to hold state polls along with parliamentary polls in the 15th General Election on Nov 19, 2022.
The Election Commission previously said the six states should consider holding the polls simultaneously, adding that holding it together would cost RM450mil.
On Friday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he would sit down with the heads of government of the five other states to decide on when to dissolve their respective legislative assemblies.
The six state assemblies are set to automatically dissolve on various dates between June and August.
