Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Dissolved Effective Today, Setting Stage For 13th State Election

KUCHING, Oct 26 – The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly has been officially dissolved today, Monday, October 26, 2026, setting the stage for the 13th Sarawak State Election.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg previously announced the planned dissolution on Friday, October 23, following an audience where Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar granted his royal consent.

Under Article 21(4) of the Sarawak State Constitution, a state election must be conducted within 60 days of the assembly’s dissolution.

Attention now shifts to the Election Commission (EC), which will convene a special meeting to determine key election dates—including nomination day, early voting, and polling day—upon receiving official notification from the State Assembly Speaker.

EC Secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus confirmed on Friday that formal notices would precede the scheduling of the EC’s special meeting.

Meanwhile, Premier Abang Johari assured the public that the state administration will continue functioning under a caretaker government capacity in strict compliance with constitutional conventions.

Caretaker Governance, Seat History, and Evolving Political Landscape

Key administrative details, historical seat distribution, and political realignment factors include:

• Caretaker Government Role: Abang Johari emphasized that public administration and essential public services will proceed seamlessly under caretaker leadership to protect civil welfare.
• Term Expiry Context: The term of the 82-seat state assembly was originally set to expire naturally in February 2027.
• 2021 Election Results: In the 12th Sarawak State Election held on December 18, 2021, the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition won a dominant 76 seats, while Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secured four seats and the Democratic Action Party (DAP) picked up two.
• PSB Dissolution & Realignments: Sarawak’s political landscape shifted significantly following the dissolution of PSB in 2024, when three of its former assemblymen joined the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP)—a GPS component—while Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How chose to sit as an Independent.
• GPS Coalition Members: The ruling GPS coalition consists of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and PDP.

–NMT