Busy with PM duties, Anwar says haven't discussed state polls

It is too early to talk about seat distributions for elections in the six states that did not dissolve their legislative assemblies before the 15th general election, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said his priority now is administering the country after being appointed PM.

"We will discuss. It is still too early. I have spent the last two months on work (as PM), and have not talked about the state elections," Berita Harian quoted the Pakatan Harapan chairperson as saying after meeting staff of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in Kuala Nerus, today.

Earlier, Anwar was granted an audience with the Terengganu ruler, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, at the Istana Syarqiyyah in Kuala Terengganu, where they did not touch on the state elections.

Asked if there was an "ideal time" to hold the state elections, the premier said he would leave it to the respective state administrations.

"The state polls are the jurisdiction of state governments. It would be ideal if they are held simultaneously in six states, but it is not under my jurisdiction,” he said.

Yesterday, Kedah Harapan chairperson Mahfuz Omar was quoted saying that cooperation between the coalition and BN for the upcoming six state elections is “almost certain to happen”.

Earlier, Negeri Sembilan Harapan chairperson Aminuddin Harun said he has no problem working with BN to face the state election.

Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu will be involved in state elections this year.

While the first three states are led by Harapan, the latter three are administered by Perikatan Nasional. - Mkini