Sarawak State Election Likely Set For December Ahead Of Assembly Term Expiry, Says Abdul Karim

KUCHING, Oct 17  – The upcoming 13th Sarawak State Election is increasingly likely to take place in December 2026 before the current term of the State Legislative Assembly officially lapses in February 2027, according to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information Chief Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim, who serves as Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, stated that while Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has yet to announce the exact date for the assembly’s dissolution, December marks five years since the previous state poll held on December 18, 2021.

Under statutory guidelines, a state election must be conducted within 60 days from the formal dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly.

Speaking at a press conference following the DayakDaily Writing Competition Awards ceremony in Kuching on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Abdul Karim emphasized that a December timeframe is the most practical window for voters and electoral organizers.

“Even if he (Abang Johari) calls it at the end of this month or in November, it has to be held in December,” Abdul Karim remarked, noting that December aligns with the conclusion of the five-year mandate.

Narrowing Window, Festive Calendar Considerations, and Expected Dissolution Timing

The Minister highlighted that the Election Commission (EC) must carefully weigh upcoming cultural and religious holidays when scheduling polling days:

• Festive Calendar Constraints: Abdul Karim noted that the EC must account for year-end holidays, Christmas, Chinese New Year falling in January, and the start of Ramadan in February, making early 2027 logistically unfavorable for campaigning.
• Avoidance of Early 2027 Dates: Due to back-to-back festive periods and religious observances early next year, holding the election in January or February is considered unlikely.
• State Budget Timeline: Dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly is widely anticipated to occur in November, roughly two weeks after the tabling and passing of the Sarawak Budget 2027.
• 5-Year Cycle Completion: Conducting the state election in December directly reflects the 2021 election cycle and avoids stretching the administration to its absolute constitutional deadline in mid-February.

Political observers expect Premier Abang Johari to provide further signals on the dissolution date following the conclusion of the upcoming state budget sitting.

–NMT