Sarawak DUN dissolution rumours swirl as state polls mandate nears expiry

KUCHING: Rumors of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) dissolution are growing, with Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg possibly announcing a decision on Friday. The timing of the announcement is speculated to coincide with the assembly's final day of its second meeting in the fifth session of the 19th DUN. However, the decision to dissolve the DUN for the upcoming 13th Sarawak election ultimately lies with the Premier.

According to Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the election could be held between Dec 12 and Dec 19, with Dec 12 and Dec 19 being among the selected dates. The DUN, currently comprising 82 seats, is the largest in the country and is set to grow to 99 following the approval of 17 new constituencies by the Election Commission.

The last election in Sarawak took place on Dec 18, 2021, where Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) won a significant victory, securing 76 out of the 82 seats. This was followed by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) with four seats and DAP with two. Post-election, the political landscape shifted as PSB was dissolved, with three former PSB members joining Parti Demokratik Progresif (PDP), one of GPS's component parties.

Another PSB member left the party and is now an independent assemblyman, reducing GPS's seat count to 80 and DAP to two seats in Padungan and Pending. A state election must be conducted within 60 days of the DUN's dissolution. If the DUN is dissolved soon, the Election Commission will set the nomination and polling dates for the 13th Sarawak election.

The upcoming election is anticipated to be a crucial assessment of GPS's mandate under Abang Johari, who has been the state's chief minister since Jan 13, 2017. The focus of the election is likely to be on defending current seats and challenging opposition and independent representatives.