Penang is open to hold simultaneous state polls with other states
MOHD ISKANDAR OTHMAN
GEORGETOWN - The Penang government is open for negotiations in conducting simultaneous state elections with the remaining five states that did not hold theirs in tandem with last week's national polls.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, said that the Penang legislative assembly will expire on August 2, 2023 with the date of its state election needed to be determined within 60 days after its expiry.
However, matters concerning state elections will be decided by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership council because it will involve two other PH states which are Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
"We are open to negotiate and discuss if other states are agreeable to hold simultaneous state elections on the same date.
"However, this is something that PH and Perikatan Nasional (PN) need to decide," said Chow at a press conference at the state legislative assembly building today.
Yesterday, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor hinted that the Kedah state polls will be done some time after March next year.
He however, remarked that the matter will also be discussed with other states such as Terengganu, Kelantan and Terengganu so that Kedah will not be the sole state to do its state polls on the same date.
Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan are among the states whose legislative assemblies are set to expire next year.
