EC Formally Notified Of Sarawak State Assembly Dissolution, Paving Way For 13th State Polls

KUCHING, Oct 27  – Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar has officially transmitted the notification letter on the dissolution of the state assembly to Election Commission (EC) Chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

Speaking at a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly building in Kuching, Mohamad Asfia confirmed receiving the official declaration signed by Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar on Friday, October 23.

“The declaration of dissolution is also in accordance with Article 21(2) of the State Constitution, which empowers the Governor of Sarawak to dissolve the state assembly. As such, I have informed EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun of the matter through a letter dated today,” Mohamad Asfia stated.

The state assembly’s dissolution officially took effect on Monday, October 26, following the earlier announcement by Sarawak Premier and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

During the interim period, the state administration continues to function in a caretaker capacity bound by established constitutional conventions until a new government is formed.

Electoral Background, Assembly Term, and Political Alignment Breakdown

Key historical facts, constitutional timelines, and party seat distributions in the 82-seat Sarawak assembly include:

• Original Mandate Expiry: The 12th term of the 82-seat Sarawak State Legislative Assembly was originally scheduled to expire in February 2027 before the early dissolution was enacted.
• 2021 Election Results: In the 12th Sarawak State Election held on December 18, 2021, GPS secured a landslide victory, winning 76 seats, while Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) won four seats and DAP secured two.
• Dissolution of PSB: The political landscape shifted significantly in 2024 when PSB dissolved, leading three of its former state assemblymen to join the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a GPS component party.
• Independent Representation: Following PSB’s dissolution, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How opted to sit as an Independent lawmaker.
• GPS Coalition Structure: The ruling GPS coalition comprises four component parties: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and PDP.

–NMT