KUCHING: Holding the 16th general election and Sarawak election simultaneously is possible, but it remains more plausible than probable.
This is the view of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) political sociologist Professor Dr Novel Lyndon who said the prospect of simultaneous elections depends entirely on whether the federal and Sarawak governments agree to align their electoral timelines.
He noted that Sarawak is widely expected to head to the polls between October and December this year, although Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has yet to announce a dissolution date.
“GE16 is not legally required until early 2028 unless Parliament is dissolved earlier by the Prime Minister. That makes a joint election realistic, but not highly likely at this stage,” he said.
Novel said combining both elections could reduce public expenditure and spare voters from returning to the ballot box twice within a short period.
However, he believes Sarawak has compelling reasons to retain a separate electoral contest.
“A standalone state election allows Sarawak issues such as the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), state rights, economic development and autonomy to remain the centre of public debate instead of being overshadowed by national political narratives,” he explained.
On the political implications, Novel said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) would likely remain the biggest beneficiary regardless of whether the elections are held together or separately.
He attributed GPS’s advantage to its entrenched grassroots machinery, established leadership and consistent positioning as the defender of Sarawak’s interests.
“GPS is able to campaign on political stability while demonstrating its ability to negotiate effectively with the federal government for Sarawak’s rights and development,” he said.
A simultaneous election, he added, would enable GPS to mobilise its campaign machinery more efficiently by coordinating state and parliamentary campaigns.
Nevertheless, Novel cautioned that such an arrangement also carries political risks.
He said voter dissatisfaction with the federal government over issues including the rising cost of living, subsidy reforms or national controversies could spill over into the state election because GPS is a partner in the federal unity government.
For Pakatan Harapan (PH), Novel said simultaneous polls may improve its prospects in urban and mixed constituencies, where higher turnout and stronger participation among younger voters typically accompany general elections.
He added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s nationwide campaign could also boost PH’s visibility.
“But PH faces a complicated political position in Sarawak. It must oppose GPS in the state election while cooperating with GPS at the federal level. That mixed message may confuse voters and dilute its campaign,” he said.
Novel believes smaller opposition parties and independent candidates stand to lose the most under a dual-election scenario.
They would be forced to field more candidates, secure greater financial resources, recruit larger campaign teams and compete for limited media attention against the well-established machinery of GPS and major national coalitions.
Overall, Novel concluded that simultaneous elections would most likely favour GPS, with PH gaining limited advantages in selected urban seats.
“From a political sociology perspective, GPS’s greatest strength is not merely its election machinery, but its success in linking Sarawak identity, political stability and state rights into a compelling political narrative,” he said.
