The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly has been officially dissolved, paving the way for the state’s 13th election (PRN13).
The dissolution was announced by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg last Friday after receiving the consent of Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Under Article 21(4) of the Sarawak State Constitution, the state election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution.
Attention now turns to the Election Commission (EC), which must set a date for a special meeting to determine key election dates, including nomination day and polling day.
On October 23, EC secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus reportedly said the meeting date would be determined once the commission received official notification of the dissolution from the Sarawak State Assembly Speaker.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari, who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, said the state government would assume a caretaker role during the interim period, in accordance with constitutional requirements and conventions.
“Public administration and essential services will continue to ensure the needs and welfare of the people remain protected,” he said.
The current mandate of the 82-seat assembly was due to expire in February 2027.
In the 12th state election held on December 18, 2021, GPS secured a landslide victory, winning 76 of the 82 seats contested. Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) won four seats, while DAP took two.
However, Sarawak’s political landscape has since changed following the dissolution of PSB in 2024. Three former PSB assemblymen subsequently joined Parti Demokratik Progresif (PDP), one of the four component parties in GPS.
Another former PSB assemblyman, See Chee How, who represented Batu Lintang, left the party and became an independent representative.
GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and PDP.
