‘Not so smart’ MB can bark, but not bite

Selangor can choose to dissolve the state assembly anytime but polling date is still in the Election Commission’s hands.

PETALING JAYA: Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim can dissolve the State Legislative Assembly at any given time but cannot decide on the election date, said two prominent political analysts.

Prof James Chin of Monash University and Prof Shamsul Amri Baharuddin of Malaya University (UM) opine that Khalid had no influence over the election date.

Khalid was quoted two days ago as saying: “If the Prime Minister [Najib Tun Razak] does not make any announcement or indicate a date for the general election after Chap Goh Meh, we plan to do this [dissolve the state assembly].”

He added that the proposed decision to dissolve the state assembly depended on the “highest leaders in Pakatan Rakyat”.

However, Chin said that eventually the state had to dissolve the state assembly and it was not a major decision.

“I believe that it’s a symbolic act by the opposition and Khalid is simply looking to gain political inroads with elections looming,” said the elections expert.

Chin added that Pakatan could decide on its own when it came to the dissolving of the state assembly but was unable to influence any decision regarding polling dates.

“The EC [Election Commission] are the ones who will decide when election is to be held, not the state government or the MB or whoever else for that matter.

“They can do away with the state assembly but that is not going to have any effect or pressure the EC into making a decision,” he said.

‘Not a smart move’

Shamsul also concurred saying that Khalid had no power in deciding the polling date and must be well-versed with the law.

“The polling day is decided by EC and we are clear on that. No arguments there. Normally, after the dissolving of a state assembly, elections will be held approximately 60 days after,” he added.

He added that Khalid was “fishing for dates” to gain a political advantage over Barisan Nasional but it was not a smart move.

“His claims are unfounded and not very ‘smart’ to those who understand the law,” he said.

Shamsul also chastised journalists who made Khalid’s statement “top news”, claiming that they were ignorant of the legal aspects of elections and did not respect EC’s rights.