KUCHING: Political observer Datuk Peter Minos believes Sarawak’s next state election will most likely be held this November.
With speculation intensifying over when Sarawakians will head to the polls, Minos stressed that nobody outside the top leadership knows the actual date.
“Many reporters have asked me lately when the state election will be. We can only make an intelligent guess because only the Premier has an idea when the poll will be,” he said.
His prediction places November 2026 as the frontrunner, while leaving room for a later timetable stretching into February next year.
According to Minos, several political and administrative developments have fuelled talk of a November election. Among them are reports that government projects are expected to be completed or at least tendered out by November or December, as well as the ongoing Sayangku Sarawak programme being held across the state.
He described the statewide initiative as a major public engagement exercise where Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announces new policies, projects and assistance, adding that it naturally carries political significance in the run-up to an election.
Another factor drawing attention is the proposed Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting in mid-October to table the 2027 State Budget, earlier than the traditional November schedule.
While the earlier sitting has sparked widespread speculation of an early dissolution, state leaders have maintained that the revised timetable should not be interpreted as confirmation of imminent polls.
Beyond official events, Minos believes political preparations are already quietly underway.
He said both government and opposition parties are discreetly identifying and assessing potential candidates, avoiding public announcements to prevent internal rivalry or political sabotage.
“There is some silent campaigning now. Parties know the official campaign period is very short, so candidates need time to become known,” he said.
Minos observed that experienced politicians tend to keep a low profile, while newcomers are sometimes too eager to reveal their ambitions.
He singled out Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as the most disciplined in managing election preparations, saying the coalition has long maintained a strict culture of secrecy over candidate selection.
Under established GPS practice, he noted, only its chairman and Premier is authorised to announce the coalition’s candidates, with incumbents and aspiring nominees expected to remain silent until then.
Ultimately, Minos said both the election date and the candidate list remain the Premier’s prerogative.
“The rest of us can only speculate and make guesses,” he said.
