Hold parliamentary, state polls separately, says Sarawak DAP chief

 Chong Chieng Jen says separate elections will give voters two chances to voice their demands.

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said that when state and parliamentary elections were held separately in the past, it allowed more issues to receive greater attention.

PETALING JAYA:

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said parliamentary and state elections should be held separately as it would double the opportunities for voters to voice their demands to the government within a five-year period.

The Stampin MP said if voters could cast their ballots twice, the government would pay more attention to issues faced by the people to secure their support, Borneo Post reported.

He said that when state and parliamentary elections were held separately in the past, it allowed more issues to receive greater attention.

Chong Chieng Jen.

“I prefer separate elections as this would give voters two opportunities to voice their demands to the government within a five-year period,” Chong was quoted as saying.

His statement comes a week after a senior Gabungan Parti Sarawak leader voiced support for the next general election (GE16) to be held concurrently with the 13th Sarawak state election.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said holding both elections concurrently would save significant public funds.

In September last year, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook proposed that the state elections in the 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia be held concurrently with GE16.

Loke said holding the elections at the same time would save costs and realign the terms of the federal and state governments.

Data previously released by the Election Commission showed that the government had spent RM725 million to hold GE15, while the separate six state elections cost a further RM420 million. - FMT