KUCHING, June 5 2026: PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has further strengthened speculations that the next state election could be held within 100 days or more, in response to comments made by SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian yesterday.
He said there are indications that Sarawak will hold its election this year.
"We all know that the polls will be held this year," he told reporters today.
At the flag-raising ceremony yesterday to mark the 67th anniversary of SUPP, Dr Sim, who is also Deputy Premier, had said the state polls could be held in less than 100 days from now,
He has urged SUPP members to get themselves ready for the "war".
Karim, meanwhile, said leaders of the four component parties of Gabungan Parti Sarawak have more or less discussed about the election, including allocation of a number of seats to each party.
"From what have been discussed, we know that the polls will be held this year.
"Whether it is 100 days or more, we don't have to worry so much because we are now in June and we have six more months before the current term of the state legislative assembly (SLA) expires.
"In terms of politics, all the parties, including GPS, have made preparations," Karim, who is also the state Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, said.
"The only things left are the posters and names of candidates," he added, pointing out that when the SLA will be dissolved to pave the way for the state election is an open secret.
However, he explained that date of the dissolution is the prerogative of Premier Abang Johari Openg
He said although there are various speculations including the possibility of the election being held within about 100 days, the final decision on it can only be determined by the premier.
“I can only say here that the individual who can roughly tell when the election date will be held is the premier because the prerogative and discretion to dissolve SLA is in his hands.
Karim said the current political developments in several states in Peninsular Malaysia are also among the things that can be observed in determining the election schedule in the future.
However, he stressed that any decision on the dissolution of SLA and the election date remains the prerogative of the premier.
Karim also said that the proposal to increase the number of SLA seats by 17 is still awaiting approval at the Federal level before it can be implemented.
He said he is not sure when Parliament will endorse the proposal which has been approved by SLA last year.
“If approved even in the near future, it is most likely that the additional 17 seats can only be used in the next state election,” he said.-
The proposal aims to increase the number of state seats from 82 to 99.