Sanusi: PN states may sync polls with GE16, eyes T'ganu-style clean sweep in Kedah

The Perikatan Nasional-led states of Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis are likely to hold their elections concurrently with the 16th general election, said PAS election director Sanusi Nor.

Sanusi (above), who is also the Kedah menteri besar, reportedly said such an arrangement would facilitate the work by the coalition’s election machinery while also saving costs.

He added that the matter had previously been discussed with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who expressed his agreement with the plan.

“(Separate state and general elections) will take a lot of time. (If done simultaneously), costs can be saved while easing the work of the Election Commission.

“I regularly speak with the prime minister about this, and he has agreed - I asked when the date (for the election) is, and he said that can be discussed,” Harian Metro quoted Sanusi as saying after launching Kedah PAS election machinery at an event in Alor Setar last night.

He predicted, however, that GE16 would only be held towards the end of 2027.

The PAS-governed states of Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, along with Pakatan Harapan-administered Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang, opted not to dissolve their state assemblies for simultaneous polls with GE15 in November 2022.

Their state elections were subsequently held in August 2023.

The Negeri Sembilan legislature, however, was dissolved on June 5, with the EC having since set Aug 1 as the voting day for the state’s election.

Clean sweep ‘not impossible’

Sanusi also expressed confidence that Kedah PAS could emulate the clean sweep achieved by its Terengganu representatives during the previous election, which saw PN gaining control of the 32-seat state legislature.

Insisting that it is “not impossible” for PAS and PN to repeat Terengganu’s 32-0 victory, Sanusi pointed to supposed shifting political sentiments and weaknesses within Pakatan Harapan.

Addressing attendees at the event last night, he said PAS is aiming to wrest the three seats currently held by Harapan in the 36-seat Kedah legislature.

“We now have 33 seats (in Kedah). Whether they (Bersatu) are with us or not, we will contest all the seats," he vowed, as quoted by The Star.

Recently, PAS terminated political cooperation with its fellow PN component Bersatu, following months of strained relations.

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Yesterday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said any decision on Bersatu’s status within PN will rest with other component parties, namely Gerakan and MIPP.

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