KUCHING: The timing of the upcoming Sarawak Election remains entirely at the discretion of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said while there has been public interest following recent remarks that the election could be held within 100 days, only the Premier can determine when the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) should be dissolved.
“The only person who can indicate when the election will be held is the Premier. The prerogative and discretion rest with him on when to advise the Yang di-Pertua Negeri to dissolve DUN,” he told reporters during a press conference today.
Abdul Karim said there was no need for concern over the exact timeline as the election is constitutionally due this year.
“Whether it is within 100 days or another two or three months after that, we will wait for the Premier’s decision. What we know is that it must be held this year,” he said.
Abdul Karim who is also Asajaya assemblyman pointed out that the DUN term expires at the end of the year and, should there be no earlier dissolution, it would automatically dissolve upon the expiry of its five-year term.
Following the dissolution, the Election Commission (EC) would be required to conduct the election within 60 days.
He said both Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and opposition parties are already making the necessary preparations for the polls.
“I believe GPS and the opposition parties already have everything in hand — operations rooms, campaign materials and other preparations. The only thing that may not have been done yet is the printing of candidate posters.
“This is no longer a secret. It is already an open secret,” he said.
At the same time, Abdul Karim said every election often provide opportunities for leadership renewal.
“If we look at previous state or general elections, at least 10 to 30 per cent of candidates are usually new faces. If there are no new faces, I think the people will be disappointed.
“It is the responsibility of every party to carry out the grooming process and prepare for leadership renewal,” he said.
Abdul Karim added that with only six months remaining in the year, all political parties are aware that preparations for the election must be intensified regardless of when the polls are eventually called.
