Pakatan states to see out their terms

The three Pakatan Harapan state governments are likely to complete their full terms before dissolving their assemblies.

All three states – Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan – have different dates when their terms expire but it should be around July next year.

Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the joint dissolution was agreed to by the leaders of three states in a recent meeting.

“We have not decided when exactly, but we are likely to complete the mandate given to us which is by the middle of next year,” he said.

Aminuddin said holding a state election just after the national polls would upset the people.

In Penang, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the assembly has until Aug 2 to dissolve.

He too said the dissolution would only be done sometime between May and July next year.

“After the 14th General Election (GE14), Penang’s first sitting was on Aug 3, 2018.

“The five-year term began on that date,” he said at the state assembly building in Lebuh Light yesterday.

On the three Pas-held states which have yet to hold elections – Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu – he said he would prefer it if all six states had elections together.

“It is up to Pakatan and Perikatan Nasional to decide,” he said. PAS is a member of Perikatan. Meanwhile, Aminuddin, who won the Port Dickson parliamentary seat last Saturday, said he was also looking forward to serving his constituents as well as those in Sikamat, his state constituency.

Asked if he plans to defend his Sikamat seat in the state elections, he said: “I will accept it but if I am not nominated, then it is okay.”