Umno to blame for state polls not held concurrently with GE15– Loke

Umno was to be blamed for the extra cost involved in holding state elections only after the parliamentary elections, said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Loke (above) said Pakatan Harapan cannot be faulted because it had already announced that Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Selangor will not be dissolving their respective legislatures.

"We have stated our stand clearly from the beginning. If you don't want to waste people's money, then you should wait for next year before dissolving Parliament.

"Having elections now is a result of being forced by Umno. Even PAS has stated that they won't dissolve (state assemblies which they control)," said Loke.

Loke said this in response to caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's call for all state governments - except Sarawak, Sabah, Malacca and Johore - to dissolve their respective legislatures as well to save cost.

Loke said he expected Harapan to stick to its earlier decision and not heed Ismail Sabri's call.

On Oct 5, Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim said the menteris besar Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, as well as Penang chief minister, have decided that the dissolution of their respective state legislatures would not happen until after the monsoon season passes.

This was to allow the state governments to focus on flood relief efforts.

Three days later, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang made a similar declaration for the states of Terengganu, Kedah and Kelantan - three states that are usually affected during the monsoon season.

PM: Agong consents to dissolution of Parliament

As dissolution rumours swirl, Azhar expects business as usual tomorrow

Report: PM met Agong this afternoon on Parliament dissolution

Ismail Sabri: PN ministers' letter to Agong irrelevant to govt legitimacy