Umno deputy warns of six-week prep for imminent state elections

The deputy president of Malaysia’s Umno party, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, has warned that the party may only have six weeks to prepare for the upcoming state elections. Hasan, also known as Tok Mat, informed Umno delegates that the dissolution of the six state assemblies is expected to occur by the end of June, with polls likely to be held in late July or early August.

“Only six weeks maximum, we expect elections at the end of July or early August. So we don’t have time to think about work 24 hours a day, we don’t have time for the party. I hope that this is our mission for us to improve and defend that dignity even if it is still there. Let’s continue to be determined about achieving a victory that we can be proud of,” he said in his winding-up speech at the party’s annual general assembly.

Political observers predict that the state assemblies of Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu will be dissolved by the end of June to pave the way for state elections.

Previously, former deputy chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said that it would be easier to hold simultaneous polls for the six states even though their mandates expire at different times, with Selangor the earliest and Penang last. He said the EC is constitutionally obliged to hold an election within 60 days of it being called, but felt it would be better to avoid the differing dates as this ran the risk of them being used as political capital.