Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led states comprising Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis are expected to hold their respective state elections concurrently with the 16th General Election (GE16), according to PAS election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
He said the move would streamline election machinery operations, making campaign efforts more efficient while also reducing overall costs associated with running separate polls.
Such coordination between federal and state elections has often been discussed in Malaysian political circles as a way to improve logistical efficiency and voter turnout management.
Sanusi, who is also Kedah Menteri Besar, said the matter had been raised with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who reportedly indicated that the timing could be further discussed.
He was quoted as saying that he had enquired about the election date, to which the Prime Minister responded that it remained open for negotiation.
In previous elections, several states including those led by PAS and Pakatan Harapan chose to hold their state polls separately from the general election, with the most recent state elections taking place in August 2023.
While speculation continues over the possibility of a snap GE16 later this year, attention is also focused on upcoming state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan scheduled for July 11 and August 1 respectively.
Sanusi also expressed confidence that PN could achieve a clean sweep in Kedah, targeting all 36 state seats and 15 parliamentary constituencies in the state.
He said the coalition would be focusing efforts on key constituencies including Sungai Petani, Kota Darul Aman, Bakar Arang and Sidam, which are currently held by Pakatan Harapan.
Political analysts often note that such bold electoral predictions reflect both confidence-building within party ranks and broader strategic messaging ahead of national polls.
Currently, PN controls 14 of Kedah’s 15 parliamentary seats and 33 of its 36 state seats, reflecting its strong electoral position in the state.
