Sarawak polls likely in December, says PBB’s Karim

The next Sarawak state election is likely to be held in December, says Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Karim, who is also the state tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister, said premier Abang Johari Openg had yet to announce when the state assembly would be dissolved, noting that December would mark five years since the last state election on Dec 18, 2021.

Under the law, a state election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution of the state assembly. The state assembly’s term ends in February.

“Even if he (Abang Johari) calls it at the end of this month or in November, the election has to be held in December.

“December is usually the year-end period, and with Christmas, people take leave, so it has to be around that time,” he told a press conference after a writing competition award ceremony here today.

Karim said the window for holding the election was narrowing and the Election Commission would need to consider the festive calendar when setting the polling date.

He said Chinese New Year falls in January, followed by Ramadan in February, making either month unsuitable for the polls.

Karim was previously reported as saying that the state assembly was expected to be dissolved in November, or two weeks after the state’s 2027 budget is passed.