PAS central working committee member Awang Hashim described the proposal by Umno Supreme Council member Ahmad Maslan and Johor PKR Youth chief Faezuddin Puad as unreasonable.

He said elections in the two states should proceed so that voters can decide on new governments capable of restructuring the economy in light of the global crisis.

“If the people believe the present state governments have acted correctly, then there is no issue with returning them to power.

“However, elections should not be postponed as the state governments’ current actions are seen as failing to serve the rakyat’s interests,” he told FMT.

Ahmad and Faezuddin had called for the Johor and Melaka state elections to be deferred in light of the geopolitical conflict.

They said there was no urgent need to hold elections at a time when the public continues to face economic pressures and global uncertainty.

In May last year, Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the state election would not be called early, noting that the administration’s term runs until April 2027.

However, speculation has emerged that the Johor polls could be held concurrently with Melaka’s and possibly alongside the 16th general election.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also dismissed the likelihood of a snap general election, calling on all political parties to continue working together to find solutions amid the global energy crisis.

Meanwhile, Awang, who is also the Pendang MP, reiterated a call for a special parliamentary sitting to discuss issues related to the global crisis.

“The government speaks of addressing the crisis, yet Parliament has not been convened. This will only reinforce the perception that it lacks a clear plan to manage the current situation.

“Instead, it appears as though the crisis is being used as an opportunity to raise fuel prices, further burdening the rakyat,” he said.