GEORGE TOWN: Pakatan Harapan's (PH) decision not to dissolve its state assemblies may cost it dearly when it does so next year, said a political observer.
Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, of Universiti Utara Malaysia's School of International Studies, said PH's chances of retaining states under its control might fall due to several factors.
He said one of them was the possibility of low voter turnout due to political fatigue.
"There have been examples where PH lost in state elections and by-elections.
"So PH's chances of winning will be better if state elections are held simultaneously with the parliamentary election," he told the "New Straits Times".
Earlier today, PH maintained its decision not to dissolve the state assemblies of Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the three states would focus on flood and monsoon preparations.
Azizuddin said there might be some consolation as six states would also have their state election next year.
"I believe they will have them together, possibly in May."
He said another factor that led PH not to hold simultaneous elections was so it didn't seem to support Barisan Nasional's decision to have the 15th General Election (GE15) now.
"PH may want to see the outcome of the parliamentary election first to gauge people's response, possibly because it's not prepared yet."