GEORGE TOWN, Oct 15 — The Penang chief minister has the authority to dissolve the state assembly and call for state polls, said Penang Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman Oh Tong Keong.

He said the Penang state assembly is under the jurisdiction of Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH), which is led by Penang DAP.

"Penang DAP has majority in the state administration and they have decided to dissolve the state assembly to hold state polls at the same time as the 15th general election, so, why are they bending backwards to comply with what PKR leadership wants?” the Penang Gerakan chairman asked.

He said Penang could hold its state polls now instead of following Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

"Does this mean DAP doesn’t have a say in this at all?” he asked.

He claimed voters in general wanted to have simultaneous elections.

"So, Pakatan Harapan doesn’t care about what the people want at all,” he said.

He claimed it was obvious that PKR was reluctant to call for state polls for fear of losing both Selangor and Negri Sembilan to their opponents.

Oh then pointed out that Penang has until the latest August next year to dissolve the state assembly and call for state polls.

"This means we will have yet another election in a matter of months, this is a waste of government funds, resources and a disruption to the schools which will be used as polling stations,” he said.

He said it could easily cost the government millions to hold the state polls separately.

"Shouldn’t these funds be put to good use such as to upgrade our schools or for the welfare of the people?” he asked.

He also warned that voter turnout will be low when state polls is called next year.

"Voters may not want to come out to vote again, especially those who live outstation or work in other states,” he said.

Earlier today, the PH presidential council announced that Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan will not hold its state polls this year.

Parliament was dissolved on October 10, paving the way for GE15.