Sidang awal DUN Sarawak bukan petanda PRN awal, kata Abdul Karim

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Deputy Chief of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), dismissed speculation that the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) will hold its next plenary session in November. According to him, the rumor about shifting the plenary to October is unfounded and unrelated to any rumors about the date of the PRN.

"Usually, the plenary takes place in November, but this time it might happen in October following the announcement of the 2027 Federal Budget in Parliament," he told reporters after watching the Sukma diving event at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre in Shah Alam. Abdul Karim also emphasized that any early DUN plenary in Sarawak would be under the absolute prerogative of the state's Chief Minister, Abang Johari Openg.

"The Premier has the authority to decide. If the DUN plenary is moved, it might be due to certain reasons," he added. In this case, the time required for the restructuring of the electoral system may be tight, he said. The Surveyor-General of Elections (SPR) would need to present alternative electoral district options at least three months before the next round begins.

"Technically, I see this process as quite challenging, not impossible because I see that the SPR has already expressed its willingness to present alternative district numbers," he said. However, given the technical constraints, it may not be enough time to hold the next PRN Sarawak with the 99 seats approved by DUN in July last year. The next PRN Sarawak must be held later, perhaps in mid-April 2027.