PAKATAN Harapan (PH) should rethink its decision of having state elections separately from the general election and not burden the people more by insisting they come out to vote again next year for state polls, said Ramkarpal Singh.

The DAP national legal bureau chairman said although PH states announced they would hold their elections next year, the announcement was made in the context of avoiding a general election in the midst of possible floods at the end of this year. 

He said now that Putrajaya has called for general elections, forcing the people to come out and vote despite the real possibility of adverse weather conditions, PH states should not add to the people’s problems by insisting they come out to vote again next year for state elections.

“I have been on the ground in Penang and know that the people do not want separate elections. Their wish to hold state and parliamentary elections concurrently is overwhelming. 

“Let me make it very clear. PH is against the elections being held now and we have stated our reasons for this many times. 

“But we are forced to consider state elections now because of the selfish decision of the federal government in calling for parliamentary elections now,” Ramkarpal said. 

The Bukit Gelugor incumbent said the people have no choice but to come out to vote in GE15, so why not vote for both assemblymen and MPs. 

“The opposition will say that we have no principles by reneging on our decision to hold state elections next year. But really, let’s ask ourselves, who caused this?” 

He said there is nothing unprincipled in holding concurrent elections now as it is certainly in the interests of the people. 

Ramkarpal appealed to the PH leadership to seriously consider holding simultaneous parliament and state elections in all its states. 

“The people will understand that we are forced to do this as it was the federal government that forced this ‘flood elections’ upon us in the first place,” he added. 

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of parliament on Monday, paving the way for early polls, despite lawmakers in the opposition and his own party urging him not to call polls until next year as the country prepares to face the annual monsoon floods. 

The Election Commission is set to announce the dates for nominations and polls on October 20. – October 14, 2022.