{
  "id": 20168141,
  "title": "PN may also opt out of Sarawak polls",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/pn-may-also-opt-out-of-sarawak-polls",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T11:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/11/15/pn-may-also-opt-out-of-sarawak-polls"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Perikatan Nasional information chief Annuar Musa announced that the opposition coalition will soon determine whether to participate in the upcoming Sarawak state election scheduled for next month. In an online update, Annuar stated that Barisan Nasional has indicated its intention to abstain from the polls. \"The decision not to contest may be an option for PN,\" he added. The Barisan Nasional chairman, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had previously mentioned that the party would not contest the state election, citing an agreement with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, which is the leading party in the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak coalition. Umno, which has not established a state chapter in Sarawak, like it has in Sabah, has typically honored this arrangement by allowing Sarawak-based parties to contest seats. In October, PAS hinted at its interest in competing in Samariang, Sebuyau, and Beting Maro, which have a predominantly Muslim-Bumiputera electorate, following its success in winning a seat in the Sabah state assembly. PAS had previously contested the Sarawak seat of Beting Maro in 2021 but lost to GPS. Sarawakians will cast their votes on December 12.",
  "summary": "The coalition's information chief Annuar Musa says 'not contesting may be an option'.",
  "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": "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Zahid confirms BN will sit out Sarawak polls",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/zahid-confirms-bn-will-sit-out-sarawak-polls",
        "published": "2026-11-15T09:34:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}