{
  "id": 15179841,
  "title": "Sarawak polls likely in December, says PBB’s Karim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/sarawak-polls-likely-in-december-says-pbbs-karim-15179841",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T09:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/17/sarawak-polls-likely-in-december-says-pbb-s-abdul-karim"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The upcoming Sarawak state election is expected to take place in December, according to Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the PBB information chief and minister for tourism, creative industry and performing arts. Karim stated that Chinese New Year and Ramadan in January and February would make those months unsuitable for the polls. Premier Abang Johari Openg has not yet announced when the state assembly will be dissolved, but the election must occur within 60 days of that dissolution as per law. The state assembly's term ends in February, and December is typically the year-end period when many people take leave for Christmas. With a narrowing window for the election, the Election Commission will need to consider the festive calendar when setting the polling date.",
  "summary": "Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah notes that the last state election was held on Dec 18, 2021.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "Politics : Sarawak Polls Likely To Be Held This December - Abdul Karim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/politics-sarawak-polls-likely-to-be-held-this-december-abdul-karim",
        "published": "2026-10-17T07:26:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Sarawak election window narrows as December polls loom, says Abdul Karim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/sarawak-election-window-narrows-as-december-polls-loom-says-abdul",
        "published": "2026-10-17T07:44:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Sarawak election could be held as early as December",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/sarawak-election-could-be-held-as-early-as-december",
        "published": "2026-10-17T08:45:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Sarawak polls likely in December, says PBB’s Karim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/sarawak-polls-likely-in-december-says-pbbs-karim",
        "published": "2026-10-17T09:55:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}