Will the 13th Sarawak Election be held this year?

Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex.

By Lian Cheng

KUCHING, Jan 20: The 13th Sarawak Election is expected to be held this year, instead of April 2027, before the current government term expires. 

Indications from both a cabinet minister and a deputy minister seemed to confirm the possibility, barring unforeseen circumstances such as the Covid-19 pandemic, which delayed the previous election to December 2021.  

“We were reminded to take good care of our areas in the last retreat we had at Singapore.  He (Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) hinted it,” the minister told DayakDaily.

When contacted, a deputy minister also gave a definitive answer that the upcoming Sarawak Election will be held this year.

The 12th Sarawak Election fell on Dec 18, 2021. Elections in Sarawak seldom take place at year’s end as the Southeast monsoon often brings heavy rainfall and flooding. The decision to proceed in December 2021 was driven by necessity, as Covid-19 restrictions were easing and public gatherings were permitted.

Following the 2021 Sarawak Election, the first sitting of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly was convened on Feb 14, 2022. This meant that the current Sarawak government will expire on Feb 14, 2027, as the absolute constitution limit is five years from the first sitting, unless extended under very exceptional circumstances, like the Sarawak Election in December 2021.

As such, the current Sarawak government will expire on Feb 14, 2027, after which an election must be held within 60 days.

Given the absence of any major public health or other possible threats, it is only sensible to conclude that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government will announce a dissolution this year to pave way for an election, should it be confident of securing a win.

And of course, GPS is confident of a win. Not only that there is no major issues answerable to the people for; on the contrary, it is a government that is seemingly accepted by the people, following the many initiatives brought about by the GPS government headed by its Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The “feel-good” factor is definitely around the corner—the multifold increase in Sarawak’s revenue; the completion of bridges such as the Muara Lassa Bridge, Marudi Bridge, Batang Rajang Bridge and Batang Saribas 1 Bridge; the implementation of free tertiary education policy; the setting up of Air Borneo; the ownership of Affin Bank and many other initiatives that have since come to fruition under Abang Johari.

Even the opposition party Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sarawak secretary George Lam predicted that the GPS will continue to helm Sarawak.

The announcement of dissolution of Sarawak Assembly, perhaps in August and September, is mainly to allow time for other mega projects involving bridges, road networks, and the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART), or parts of it to be completed.

There is no doubt that the 13th Sarawak Election is approaching. The upcoming polls will probably see a contest of 99 seats instead of 82, following the passage of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 on July 7, 2025. This change is believed to be planned to take effect ahead of the next Sarawak Election. —DayakDaily