Malaysia's opposition to consider whether to hold state polls during GE

Both Pakatan Harapan coalition, PAS plan to discuss potential dissolution of state assemblies

- Ram Anand

The stakes may be raised at Malaysia's upcoming general election should opposition-led states hold state assembly polls at the same time.

Pakatan Harapan (PH), the biggest opposition bloc, had previously stated it would not hold polls in the three states it holds, concurrently with the general election.

But it is reconsidering the issue, following a request from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which leads Penang and is part of the PH coalition.

PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim said leaders of member political parties and the states will discuss a potential dissolution at the party and state levels before coming to an "understanding" in the near future.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke later told reporters that any decision will be simultaneously applied to all three states. This precludes a scenario wherein Penang dissolves its assembly while the other two PH states - Selangor and Negeri Sembilan - hold out.