PAS is looking at holding state polls in the three states it controls in early May to avoid the Hari Raya Haji period, said party sources. 

They told The Malaysian Insight that PAS thinks the May timeline is the most suitable period as it precedes the pilgrimage season. 

PAS is fully reliant on Muslim voters to ensure a total victory in the state polls in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, and does not want to lose out on voters who will be away to perform the haj from the end of May until July. 

Elections in the three states must be held by early September. 

“This (holding state polls in May) is still in the discussion stage because the leadership is fine-tuning other matters,” said a source. 

So far, there has not been a firm decision, he said. 

Another source said Umno elections, which must be held before May, was also a consideration for PAS for when it calls state elections. 

“But that is only a small factor. There is also a proposal to hold the state polls much earlier, but after considering various factors, early May still seems to be the best option,” said the source. 

On Saturday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said Perikatan Nasional (PN) will decide when to dissolve the three state assemblies without influence from Pakatan Harapan, which has to call for state polls in Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan. 

Hadi said PN is studying the impact of proposed state election dates on voters, out-of-state voters, students, and young voters before dissolving the assemblies. 

PN needs to look into the dates of festivals and public holidays when deciding election dates, he said.

Sources told The Malaysian Insight that PAS and PN will refer state menteris besar on suitable dates for the state polls. 

Other sources said party leaders did not discuss state election dates at a PAS retreat in Kuala Terengganu last week.

“No discussion on election dates, but we did talk about strategies in facing the state polls, as well as other party matters,” said a source who attended the meeting. 

With the exception of the Penang assembly, which expires August 1, the state assembly mandate in the five other states will end between June 25 and July 3, meaning elections must be held in those five states before September. – January 24, 2023.