Penang dissolution awaits decision by PH chiefs
KUALA LUMPUR: A decision whether to dissolve the Penang state assembly will be made by the Pakatan Harapan leadership tomorrow, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said today. He said there is strong support in Penang DAP for simultaneous federal and state elections but a decision will be made only after…
KUALA LUMPUR: A decision whether to dissolve the Penang state assembly will be made by the Pakatan Harapan leadership tomorrow, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said today.
He said there is strong support in Penang DAP for simultaneous federal and state elections but a decision will be made only after the PH presidential council meets tomorrow.
The council comprises the leaders of PKR, DAP, Amanah and Upko.
Loke said the matter of ending the term of the DAP-led state government was discussed at length by his party’s central executive committee tonight.
Loke said one of the factors being taken into account was the strong support within Penang DAP for federal and state elections to be held concurrently.
The state governments of Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan are led by PH, whose leadership has previously stated opposition to dissolving the state assemblies when Parliament is prorogued.
The Selangor state government has obtained royal assent to serve its full term until mid-2023. Two Barisan Nasional states, Perlis and Perak, have said they would seek royal approval to dissolve the state assemblies.
PAS, which controls the Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu state governments, is also opposed to holding snap state elections.
Earlier today, Penang DAP leader and chief minister Chow Kon Yeow had been tight-lipped about dissolution, after chairing two meetings with the state DAP leadership and also Penang PH leaders.
Chow said the decision on whether the Penang state assembly would be dissolved or not would also have to be referred to the central committee.
Five-man panel to decide DAP candidates
Loke said the CEC had given a full mandate to a five-man committee to decide on the selection of election candidates.
The panel consists of Loke, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo, vice-chairman M Kula Segaran, and Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming.
State committees will be requested to put forward the names of suggested candidates by Oct 17 for the panel’s consideration.
The selection of DAP’s candidates is expected to be completed by Oct 23.
He also said all DAP state conventions will be postponed until after the general election, save for the Pahang DAP convention slated for Oct 16. — Free Malaysia Today