KUALA LUMPUR – A decision on the status of a Selangor state seat is expected to be finalised this week, after which the Election Commission (EC) will determine whether a by-election is required, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Amirudin said the state government was awaiting formal notification from the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker on the matter, while the state legal adviser was preparing a note before the issue is referred to the relevant authorities.
He said the matter falls under the Speaker’s prerogative, with the state legal adviser expected to complete the necessary legal note this week before the EC decides whether a by-election should be held.
“We will abide by whatever decision the Election Commission makes following the Speaker’s announcement,” he told reporters after the Menteri Besar’s Assembly with civil servants and the launch of the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign here today.
Amirudin said the state government would comply with all legal procedures and any decision made by the EC on whether a by-election should take place, in accordance with the relevant laws.
It was reported on Saturday that Selangor could see a by-election after a state assemblyman was issued a bankruptcy order linked to a personal financial matter.
The identity of the unnamed assemblyman, believed to be from the opposition bloc, has not been disclosed.
However, the matter is understood to involve the assemblyman’s financial status, which could have implications on his position as a state lawmaker.
The Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker was expected to provide clarification on the issue during the sitting today, with the development potentially resulting in the seat being declared vacant and triggering a by-election.
Yesterday, Amirudin said the state government was seeking advice from the State Legal Adviser before deciding on the appropriate legal or administrative action.
“We have received information regarding the matter and are currently consulting the State Legal Advisor. The Speaker may make an announcement during the State Assembly sitting scheduled for Aug 3,” he told reporters.
The issue has sparked speculation over whether the assemblyman’s seat could be declared vacant, which would require the EC to begin the process of organising a by-election within the stipulated legal timeframe.
The development comes amid increased political activity in the region, with neighbouring Negeri Sembilan having concluded its 14-day state election campaign ahead of polling day on Aug 1.
Amirudin made the remarks late on Aug 1 after attending the Kuala Pilah Berselawat and Munajat Perdana Negeri Sembilan event at Dataran Melang, where he joined federal leaders during the final stretch of campaign activities for the state polls.
If the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker confirms a vacancy, the EC will be notified to initiate the by-election process within the statutory timeframe.
The Selangor State Legislative Assembly has 56 seats. Following the 2023 state election, the government is formed by a coalition of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), which holds 34 seats, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) has 22 seats as the opposition. – August 3, 2026