HOLDING separate parliamentary and state elections would only double the costs involved, up to nearly RM2 billion, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed. 

He said the action would also have an impact on the country’s economic recovery process. 

“A sharp cost increase will occur as more than RM1 billion is needed to conduct a general election. 

“It could also influence outstation voters’ decision on whether to return twice to their hometown to vote.”

Mustapa said this to reporters today at the Dato’ Pa Service Centre in Bukit Nangka, Jeli. 

Mustapa, who is also Jeli MP, said if the two (parliamentary and state) elections are held separately, the focus would be more on politics than on the economic recovery. 

“This will certainly burden the people and disturb the economic recovery process and political stability as all parties will be campaigning; putting up election posters, holding public speeches, and so on.

“The important thing now is economic recovery after our fight against Covid-19,” he added. 

PAS has previously said it would not be dissolving assemblies in states under its administration if parliament is dissolved this year. – Bernama, September 25, 2022.