KUCHING: Sarawak’s 13th State Election (PRN13) is likely to be held before the end of this year as the current State Legislative Assembly (DUN) nears the completion of its five-year term, according to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) Information Chief, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said the expected timeline was based on his personal observation, noting that the previous state election was held in December 2021.
“Although the five-year term begins from the first sitting of the State Legislative Assembly, I don’t think Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will wait until the very end of the term.
“It is always risky to wait until the last moment because if anything happens then, there is little room for damage control. The election should be called earlier,” he told reporters after officiating the IIUM Alumni Ummatic Sarawak Gathering today.
Abdul Karim said only about four months remain before the year draws to a close, making preparations increasingly important for political parties.
“We are already in August. After this, there are only September, October, November and December. Four months may sound long, but in politics, it is a very short time,” he said.
Touching on candidate selection, Abdul Karim said all elected representatives should be prepared to accept the party’s decision, regardless of whether they are chosen to defend their seats.
Having served in politics for almost 25 years, he said he was ready to step aside whenever the party believed it was time to make way for new faces.
“When the time comes for us to stop, we stop. There should be no reluctance to let go or act against the party if we are not nominated.
“As politicians, when the party feels it is time to give new faces an opportunity, we must accept that reality.
“I am prepared for any possibility, whether now or in the future,” he said.
In the 2021 Sarawak election, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) won 76 of the 82 seats contested, securing a two-thirds majority to form the state government.
