SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan state government will only dissolve its state assembly after completing its full term, which ends sometime in June this year.
State Rural Development Action committee chairman Datuk Ismail Ahmad said it is unlikely that the election in the state will be called earlier than that.
The statement by Ismail came on the heels of Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's prediction that the state election in the six states including Negri Sembilan may take place less than six months from now.
"It is just not right to call the state election soon since the 15th General Election (GE15) was just concluded recently (in November last year).
"I am aware that it is the right of the people to choose and vote in the state election.
"Calling for the state election (early) is easier said than done since there are several things that we need to look into including the cost involved in conducting the polls," Ismail, who is also the Labu assemblyman, told reporters here today.
"If possible, we (Negri Sembilan state government) want to complete a full term and will only call for the state election sometime in July," he said.
Ismail said the PH top leadership is expected to hold a discussion soon with Menteri Besar and Chief Minister of the states controlled by the coalition to decide on the date to dissolve the state assemblies.
"I believe that the date of the dissolution of the state assemblies would be deliberated and decided during the meeting between the coalition top leadership and Menteri Besar as well as Chief Minister," he said.
Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun had previously said the state government had no plans to dissolve the state assembly any time soon.
Amiruddin had said state government wanted to focus on ensuring smooth administration of the state after GE15.
Asked on the possible cooperation between PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) to face the state elections, Ismail said the matter would be decided by the coalition's top leadership.
"We are also in the process of initiating a discussion with state BN leaders on the possible cooperation during the state election.
"However, the final say on the cooperation will come from the PH top leadership," he said.