Sarawak Election: November dissolution, December polls? Could Dec 12 be the date?

Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex sits next to Dataran Ibu Pertiwi.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 8: Talk of a looming State election is gathering momentum in Sarawak, following social media speculation last night (Oct 7) that polling day could fall on Dec 12.

The focus is now shifting to the upcoming Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) sitting next week, where the 2027 State Budget is expected to be tabled, marking a key event that could pave the way for the dissolution of the Assembly as early as November.

Adding to the growing anticipation, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said yesterday (Oct 7) that the political reality was that Sarawak would have to head to the polls soon, given the limited time remaining in the current term of the Assembly, which is expected to expire in December.

“Now it is already October, then November and December. How many months are left? This is an open secret. We have to have the election soon,” he told reporters after officiating the Sarawak Women of Tomorrow (SWOT) 2026 programme at Damai Lagoon Resort, Santubong.

A screenshot of the speculation that Sarawak election could fall on Dec 12 shared on Sarawak Awareness Group on Oct 7, 2026.

While declining to speculate on an exact election date, Abdul Karim indicated that November appeared to be the most likely period for the dissolution of the Assembly.

“Whether it is the date you suggested just now or any time in November for dissolution, it is an open secret that it has to be dissolved.

“It may be dissolved after the Sarawak Budget or perhaps two weeks after that,” he said when asked about the possibility of a dissolution following the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Southern Zone Special Convention scheduled for Nov 15.

The Asajaya assemblyman stressed that adequate time must be given to the Election Commission (EC) to make the necessary preparations, including fixing nomination and polling dates.

“It has to be done that way because space must be given to the EC to determine nomination day and polling day. We have a very short window now,” he added.

However, Abdul Karim emphasised that any decision on dissolving the assembly remained solely the prerogative of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“Anything regarding the dissolution and so on is the Premier’s prerogative. We still have the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting to go through from Oct 12 to 21, and this sitting is very important because it is our budget session,” he said.

He noted that the upcoming sitting would be particularly significant as it would see the tabling of the Sarawak Budget 2027, following the presentation of the National Budget tomorrow (Oct 9).

According to Abdul Karim, the State budget must be tabled after the National Budget and is expected to be among the final major items of legislative business before the current DUNS term expires.

He explained that if the assembly is not dissolved beforehand, it would automatically lapse upon the expiry of its term in December, triggering a constitutional requirement for the EC to conduct a State election within 60 days, which would bring the deadline to February 2027.

Nevertheless, Abdul Karim said it was uncommon for a State leader to allow a legislative assembly to dissolve automatically.

“I expect that very rarely would a Menteri Besar, Chief Minister or, in Sarawak’s case, the Premier, allow the Assembly to dissolve on its own,” he added.

His remarks are among the strongest indications yet that the Sarawak government is likely to opt for an early dissolution rather than allow the assembly to run its full term, setting the stage for what is expected to be the State’s next electoral contest in the months ahead. — DayakDaily