{
  "id": 16538501,
  "title": "Sarawak election countdown begins with assembly dissolution today, EC meeting next",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/sarawak-election-countdown-begins-with-assembly-dissolution-today-ec",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T00:46:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/26/sarawak-election-countdown-begins-with-assembly-dissolution-today-ec-meeting-next/240585"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sarawak's State Legislative Assembly was formally dissolved on October 26, 2023, marking the commencement of the 13th Sarawak State Election. The Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, made the announcement after receiving approval from the Governor, Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, as per Article 21(4) of the State Constitution, which mandates the election to occur within 60 days of the assembly's dissolution.\n\nThe Election Commission (EC) is now tasked with setting a date for a special meeting to finalize election dates. EC Secretary, Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus, confirmed that the commission will decide on the special meeting's date following notification of the dissolution from the Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. Meanwhile, Abang Johari, who serves as the chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), assured that the state government will continue to fulfill its duties as a caretaker administration throughout this period, adhering to all constitutional requirements and conventions. He emphasized that public services and administration will remain operational to ensure the well-being and welfare of the people.\n\nThe 82-seat Sarawak State Legislative Assembly's current term is scheduled to conclude in February 2027. In the 12th Sarawak State Election held on December 18, 2021, GPS secured 76 out of the 82 seats, while Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) claimed four, and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) garnered two. The political landscape shifted in 2024 when PSB dissolved, leading three of its former state assemblymen to join the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), which is a component party of GPS. One former PSB representative, See Chee How, represented Batu Lintang and subsequently left the party to become an Independent. GPS is composed of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and PDP.",
  "summary": "KUCHING, Oct 26 — The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly was officially dissolved today, paving the way for the 13...",
  "key_points": [
    "Sarawak State Legislative Assembly dissolved on October 26, 2023.",
    "Election Commission to set election date after assembly dissolution notification.",
    "Sarawak GPS government to continue caretaker duties during election period."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The dissolution of the state assembly triggers a mandatory sixty-day window that forces the Election Commission to formalize a timeline for the upcoming contest for Sarawak's eighty-two legislative seats.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Sarawak assembly dissolved, paving way for state election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/sarawak-assembly-dissolved-paving-way-for-state-election",
        "published": "2026-10-26T00:38:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}