GE15 to proceed whether or not state assemblies dissolve, says PM

The 15th general election (GE15) will still proceed even if several states refuse to dissolve their state legislative assemblies, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.

He said every state had the right to dissolve its state assembly at any given time.

"I strongly suggest and highly recommend that this (dissolution of state assembly and Parliament) be done simultaneously, but six states have made their decision (not to follow suit).

"So, GE15 will proceed as it should," he told reporters in Jasin.

Yesterday, PAS announced that it would not seek the dissolution of the state assemblies for the states under its rule – Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.

Ismail also said that holding GE15 and state elections separately would only inconvenience the people, who would have to come out twice to cast their votes, and would incur higher costs for the Election Commission.

On PAS’ decision to strengthen its cooperation in Perikatan Nasional (PN), Ismail, who is also Umno vice-president, said Umno had expected it.

PAS has every right to make its own decision, he said, adding that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also announced that Umno and Barisan Nasional would go solo in GE15.