Sanusi says Anwar open to holding GE16 alongside polls in four Perikatan-led states

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was receptive to the idea of holding the next general election simultaneously with polls in the four Perikatan Nasional-led states, arguing that the move would cut costs and reduce duplication of work.

New Straits Times reported the PAS election director as saying he had raised the matter with Anwar, expressing hope that Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis would go to the polls alongside the 16th general election (GE16).

“My hope is for the state elections in the four states and the parliamentary election to be held together. We will not have to repeat the work, which would consume time if done separately. Holding them concurrently will save costs and ease the work of the Election Commission,” he told reporters after launching Kedah PAS’ election machinery in Kota Sarang Semut, Yan, last night.

“I have spoken with the prime minister about holding simultaneous elections, and he agreed.

“When I asked about the election date, he said it could be discussed.”

Sanusi said concurrent elections would also allow political parties to streamline the deployment of their machinery and resources.

Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu did not dissolve their state assemblies during the 15th general election (GE15) in 2022, opting instead to hold separate state polls in August 2023. Perlis, then under Barisan Nasional, dissolved its state assembly to allow its election to be held concurrently with the federal polls.

Commenting on the possibility of PAS entering a new political alignment ahead of GE16, Sanusi said political parties must continue adapting to remain relevant in an evolving landscape.

“All parties must move based on current needs and demands to match changing mindsets. A party must keep moving and cannot remain static, or it will be left behind and become a Stone Age party,” he said.

“PAS must also move forward as long as our principles remain unchanged and our struggle stays the same. But strategies must be in place to win over voters, and every party will seize the same opportunities.”