Pakatan chiefs: S'gor polls will not be held during GE13

Elections for the Selangor legislative assembly will be conducted separately from the general election, breaking a long-standing tradition in Malaysia’s polls history.

The Pakatan Rakyat presidential council made the decision at its meeting today, citing “unresolved problems” with the state electoral rolls which it claims includes thousands of dubious voters.

The council may also consider Penang's application to hold separate elections, said PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"We agree with (Selangor) Menteri Besar (Abdul) Khalid Ibrahim's views on not holding the state election along with the national elections as the Election Commission (EC) has not cleaned up the electoral roll," Anwar said.

"There are hundreds of thousands (of dubious voters) registered in Selangor, the Federal Territory (of Kuala Lumpur) and Penang, and we are concerned as the EC has failed to react."

Anwar is confident that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will call for elections either next month or in November.

In Kelantan, said PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali, the menteri besar has agreed to hold the state polls together with the next general election.

“As for Kedah, we have yet to get feedback from the menteri besar,” Mustafa said.
Anwar is confident that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will call for elections either next month or in November.

‘EC not prepared to meet us’

Asked by a reporter how come Kedah has yet to respond, the PAS secretary-general seemed evade the question, saying it is still not known when elections are to be called although it had been anticipated to be called several times.

Mustafa also said Pakatan has also applied to meet with the EC but the commission had indicated that they are not prepared to meet them.

“I do not know why the EC does not want to meet us, are they trying to hide something? As political parties and as customers, the commission should treat us well,” he said.

Anwar added that the Pakatan Rakyat presidents’ council also discussed about strategy and budgeting.

“God willing we will be on our way to Putrajaya,” said the opposition leader.

For Pakatan, the Permatang Pauh MP said EC had failed to take action on the alleged cheating involving funds (used in campaigns) and also on the dubious names in the electoral roll.

“For this, we supported the move for Selangor to hold separate state elections. Penang has yet to make a final decision. Each (Pakatan)-held state may state its wishes,” he said.