Selangor DAP wants early state elections - Tony Pua

Selangor DAP has called for state elections to be held before the Election Commission’s (EC) proposal for a redelineation exercise is approved.

Its chairman Tony Pua said, the decision was reached during the party’s emergency meeting held yesterday and has been forwarded to the Pakatan Harapan top leadership.

“We came to a consensus following an emergency meeting held yesterday. It would be better for Pakatan Harapan to hold state elections before the redelineation exercise is approved.

“This is what we have decided but the final call will be made by the Pakatan Harapan top leadership,” he said at a press conference held at the party’s headquarters here today.

Yesterday, Selangor DAP identified seven state assembly seats that will fall back to the hands of Barisan Nasional (BN) in Selangor should the redelineation exercise proposed by the EC be approved.

According to Pua, based on 2013 voting patterns, the seats involved are Sabak, Hulu Kelang, Sementa, Selat Kelang, Pelabuhan Kelang, Sijangkang and Morib.

As such, he said, BN will be able to secure at least 10 more state assembly seats.

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP said, issues concerning the mandate given by the people does not arise because elections need not necessarily be held exactly four years to date as they can also be extended up to four and a half years.

“I believe the voters out there will continue to give their mandate through state elections that are not manipulated,” he said.

Pua added, the situation in Selangor is different from other states as it needs the consent of the Sultan for a state election to be held.

“The Sultan of Selangor will definitely make a decision on the matter, but from a political perspective, we need to make a decision whether elections need to be carried out or not.

“We cannot only depend on the date to be determined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” he said.

Previously, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali had said snap elections in the state was unnecessary as his government could not betray the mandate given by the people in the last general elections.