Not keen on separate elections

By G. SURACH | surach@nst.com.my

UNWISE MOVE: Selangor voters feel it will be a waste of time and financial resources and extra burden on employers

SHAH ALAM: THE possibility of the Selangor state election being held separately from the 13th general election has apparently not gone down well with the people of the state.

Those who were interviewed by the New Straits Times yesterday voiced their displeasure over the statement of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the opposition coalition supported the Selangor government's plan to hold a separate state election if the general election is to be held before end of the year.

Company director D. Kajendran, 30, said holding separate elections would only burden the people.

"It will also burden the state government itself, not to mention the Election Commission (EC) which has to organise those separate elections.

"Also, just imagine how the people would have to take their time off to vote twice, in addition of having to endure two campaigning periods.

"This will simply disrupt businesses and could turn into a messy affair," he said.

Marketing executive David Foo, 45, said the elections should be held together as that has always been the trend in Selangor.

"In comparison with other general elections, this time I believe the federal government would call for the elections much later and more closer to the five-year-term that it has served and so will the state government.

"I am sure that the gap between both elections, if held separately, would be less than six months. Therefore, is it worth it to do so?

"Holding the elections separately is only going to result in additional and unnecessary costs," added Foo, who is a resident of Pandamaran, Klang.

Private sector employee Aida Nor'ain Bahrin, 24, said, if the elections were to be held separately, it would have an adverse impact on voter turnout in both elections.

"For example, Selangor voters residing in Kuala Lumpur may encounter problems in obtaining leave to take part on both election dates.

"Employers may also have to reorganise the work schedule of their workers to release them to vote which may cause plenty of hassle," she said.

Anwar had on Wednesday said the decision by the Parti Keadilan Rakyat-led Selangor government was prompted by what he alleged as failure of the Election Commission to clean-up the electoral roll of dubious voters' names and act on the allegations of cheating involving funds used during campaigning.

Not keen on separate elections

UNWISE MOVE: Selangor voters feel it will be a waste of time and financial resources and extra burden on employers

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