There is a "50-50 chance" that the PAS-led Kelantan government may consider dissolving the legislative assembly ahead of the first election petition due to be heard on June 20, state assembly representative Husam Musa said today.

Husam said he has been asked by PAS spiritual leader and Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat to "find a creative solution" to the situation in Kelantan, where PAS has a three-seat majority in the government - one consideration would be to call for snap elections.

"That is one of the options, but no decision has been made. My personal opinion is that we won't go for that," he said.

"There is also another option which we are considering first, but I will not be able to reveal what that is at this point."

According to Husam, if this 'secret option' goes through, PAS Kelantan would not have to consider the dissolution of state legislature.

This choice is also expected to pre-empt the hearings of seven election petitions that have been referred to the Kota Bahru High Court for a final decision.

Malaysiakini

understands, however, that out-of-court settlements (between BN and PAS) will be the basis of this option.

The election petitions in Kelantan are due to kick off with the Chempaka seat hearing, with the High Court having set aside 10 days for this. The seat is held by Nik Aziz (photo), whose victory is being challenged by BN's Ruhani Mamat.

BN will be mounting a legal challenge for three other state seats Kadok, Kota Lama, and Kemuning while PAS is disputing the loss of the state seats of Mengkebang, Jelawat, and Air Lanas.

PAS has control of the state government with a simple majority of three seats. After the general election on March 21 and several recounts the following day, PAS was declared winner with 24 seats, while BN took the other 21.