KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — The Penang government plans to dissolve its state legislative assembly on June 28 to pave the way for state elections.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told a news conference in George Town today that he will seek an audience with Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak soon to propose the date, news portal Astro Awani reported.
“We propose June 28,” Chow said when asked if Penang has a dissolution date in mind, based on a voice recording made available to Malay Mail.
The present term of the Penang state legislative assembly will automatically expire on August 2 if not dissolved earlier.
The state election must be held within 60 days of the assembly’s dissolution.
During the same news conference, Chow, who is also Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said seat negotiations with Barisan Nasional were being done at the national level.
When asked if any agreement has already been struck at the state level, Chow reiterated his answer: “The agreement is for the central to make the final decision.”
Penang has a total of 40 state seats, with 33 seats currently held by PH, two seats by former rival-turned-ally Umno, one by PAS while four seats are vacant now.
Apart from Penang, the PH-held Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, as well as the PAS-led Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu also decided not to hold their state elections at the same time as the 15th general election in November last year.
The full term for the state legislative assembly in all these states will come to an end this year, meaning all six must hold their elections this year.
