GE overdue, mandate expired for new policies – SAPP

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KOTA KINABALU: Both the state and federal governments should announce the date that they would dissolve the legislative assemblies and parliament because the five-year mandate given to the current governments had expired yesterday, said SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

“Although the constitution gives the government five years from the date of the first sitting of the respective legislature, by convention, the political mandate is for five years only,” said Yong.

“This convention is applicable to both the state and federal governments and to both the BN and Pakatan state governments. It would be unconventional and irresponsible for any government whose political mandate has expired to embark on new policies or to commit the government to mega projects.

“Even if the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister concerned does not immediately dissolve the legislature, he must announce a date that he would seek advice from the Agong or the Head of State to dissolve the respective legislatures.

“The current violence in Lahad Datu is no excuse to delay the general elections because the Malaysian armed forces and police are already on top of the security situation.

“In any case, there have been past precedents when elections were successfully conducted in the midst of the communist insurgency in Peninsular Malaysia and parts of Sarawak before,” said Yong in a statement, yesterday.