Sarawak assembly dissolution notice sent to EC

KUCHING, Oct 27 — Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar announced today that a notification letter regarding the dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly has been dispatched to the Election Commission (EC). Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar signed the declaration of dissolution on Oct 23, in line with Article 21(2) of the State Constitution, which authorizes the Governor to dissolve the state assembly.

The Speaker informed EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun about the matter through a letter dated today, as reported at a press conference held at the State Legislative Assembly building. On Oct 23, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg declared the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly on Oct 26, signaling the beginning of the 13th state election.

Abang Johari, who also heads Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), stated that during the interim period, the state government will operate as a caretaker entity, adhering to the relevant constitutional provisions and customs. The current term of the 82-seat Sarawak State Legislative Assembly is set to conclude in February 2027. GPS secured 76 out of 82 seats in the 12th Sarawak State Election held on Dec 18, 2021, while Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) captured four seats and DAP claimed two.

The political landscape in Sarawak altered after PSB was dissolved in 2024, with three of its former state assemblymen joining the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a coalition party of GPS. One former PSB assemblyman, See Chee How, who represents Batu Lintang, subsequently defected from the party to become an Independent. GPS consists of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and PDP.