{
  "id": 20150946,
  "title": "Zahid confirms BN will sit out Sarawak polls",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/zahid-confirms-bn-will-sit-out-sarawak-polls",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T09:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/129603/zahid-confirms-bn-will-sit-out-sarawak-polls"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has confirmed that his coalition will not participate in the upcoming Sarawak state election, reaffirming the longstanding agreement with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). The BN will abstain from contesting all 82 seats, opting instead to support PBB, according to the chairman. This decision aligns with the understanding between Umno and PBB regarding the state election. The 13th Sarawak state election is scheduled for December 12, with nomination day set for November 28 and early voting on December 8. Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announced that the campaign period will span 14 days. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg recently dissolved the state legislative assembly, effective October 26, to enable the election. The assembly, currently comprised of 82 seats, may see 17 additional constituencies created, though the finalization of these seats is pending approval.",
  "summary": "BARISAN Nasional (BN) will leave the contest for all 82 seats in the upcoming Sarawak state election to other parties, with the coalition pledging its support for Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), says its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hami...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Sarawak polls: GPS to unveil 82 candidates on Nov 25",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/sarawak-polls-gps-to-unveil-82-candidates-on-nov-25",
        "published": "2026-11-15T05:54:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "GPS to announce candidates for Sarawak polls on Nov 25, says Abang Jo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/gps-to-announce-candidates-for-sarawak-polls-on-nov-25-says-abang-jo",
        "published": "2026-11-15T08:01:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Seats, candidates, strategy — Sarawak DAP will decide, says Loke",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/seats-candidates-strategy-sarawak-dap-will-decide-says-loke",
        "published": "2026-11-15T09:07:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}