Sarawak parties say viable to hold state, federal polls concurrently

 

It's viable for Sarawak, which has been holding its state elections separately from the general elections since 1978, to hold both elections concurrently in the upcoming polls, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi said.

This comes amid rising calls for both state and general elections to be held together when the the state government's tenure expires on June 6.

Speculation has been rife that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is leading a minority government, may be forced to seek a new mandate soon to resolve the political impasse, particularly after three Umno MPs withdrew their support for him.

"I don't mind if both elections are held simultaneously," Alexander told Malaysiakini when contacted.

"I mean that if we are not holding the federal and state elections together, they are still very close," he said, adding that it was reasonable to hold both the state and general elections together.

Alexander (above), who is also domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, however, said he was not sure when would both elections be called.

No elections can be held until Aug 1 during the nationwide emergency declared by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Sarawak government, which last held its polls on May 7, 2016, will need to hold the next polls in August - 60 days after its tenure expires on June 6.

In the 2016 state polls, GPS won 72 state seats out of 82 under the BN ticket. The state ruling coalition ditched the BN following the latter's defeat in the 2018 general election.

Alexander, who is also the secretary-general of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), said his party was ready for both polls.

"We are into the last lapse of our term in the state government; if we are not ready, then it is not good," he said.

He said that while all GPS parties should have identified the candidates for the state polls, the process to select the candidates for the parliamentary seats was still ongoing.

DAP Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii

Meanwhile, Free Malaysia Today quoted DAP Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii as saying that the state and federal polls should be held concurrently.

He, however, disagreed that the polls should be called as early as August, soon after the emergency is lifted.

“However, if Parliament is dissolved, we should have both elections together, which is economically wise. The money saved from conducting separate elections can be used to help the people during the pandemic,” he said.

Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secretary-general George Lo said the party only agreed that the elections would be held when everyone was safe to go out and vote.

"It is necessary to hold a general election to restore political stability but it should only be held after the Covid-19 situation is under control; political expediency must not come before the welfare of the people," he said.

“We are ready whether the Sarawak election is going to be held separately or simultaneously with the general election as long as it is safe to do so,” he said.

PBB vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

Meanwhile, PBB vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it was too costly for both elections to be held separately.

“So, we can’t hold our 12th state election unless the Yang di-Pertua Negeri allows it or the emergency ends earlier.

“If that happens, I believe the general and state polls will be held simultaneously as our state legislative assembly is expiring soon while the prime minister needs to call for a snap polls due to the impasse he is facing.

“It is too costly and too much of a hassle if we were to have two elections just months apart. It is likely to be held at the same time,” he said.

Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia to hold state polls separately from the general election due to its size and accessibility issues.   - Mkini