SHAH ALAM, 15 FEB: Selangor Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim insisted that the Election Commission (EC) should announce the date for the 13th General Elections (GE-13) within 60 days after he announces the dissolve of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Previously, he announced that he will dissolve the Selangor DUN after the Chap Goh Meh celebrations at the end of this month.
According to Abdul Khalid, it is the duty of the EC to adjust the date with the Federal Government if the GE-13 is to be held simultaneously.
He explained that the suitability of the prospective date the EC announces will be the determining factor whether GE-13 will be held simultaneously or separately.
“When I announced the dissolution, the EC should hold GE-13 within 60 days after the dissolve of the Selangor DUN.
“It is up to the EC to adjust the date with the Federal Government, however if it is not appropriate, I will hold the elections first, and if it is appropriate, we will conduct the elections simultaneously,” he said.
He said this in a press conference after officiating the Klang Third Project groundbreaking ceremony in Klang this morning.
Recently, the Deputy Chairman of the EC, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar was quoted saying that the independent body has the ultimate power to determine the GE-13 date within 60 days after the state assembly is dissolved.
According to Abdul Khalid, the people are getting impatient and are eagerly waiting for the GE-13 date which is also impeding the development of economic sectors in the state.
“The people are wondering when GE-13 will take place, (the people are) just waiting for the elections, investment decisions have yet been made, the business sector is also waiting for the elections.
“The longer the election is delayed, the slower the economy will develop,” he said.