Abang Johari keeping close to his chest on the dissolution date of the Sarawak State Assembly

BAU, June 22 2026: Premier Abang Johari Openg is keeping  close to his chest on the dissolution date of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) to pave the way for the state election.

Caption: Premier and  GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg refuses to give any indication on the timing of the dissolution of the state assembly

He simply refused to give any indication when pressed by reporters after the opening of the Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB) today.

“When is the (state) election? I don’t know either. So I cannot respond to your question,” Abang Johari said, quoted by  online news portal Dayak Daily.

He said his focus now is on “other priorities”

However, political pundits believe that the coming Sarawak state election could be held in November.

The term of the current SLA expires in February next year.

The election date could be clearer after Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has its three regional conventions between July and September this year.

Based on past experiences, most of the state elections were held in November.

The last state election was held in December 2021 soon after the lifting of the state of Covid-19 emergency.

Holding state election in December is rather rare because the month is often associated with wet season and, therefore, unsuitable.

Meanwhile, the premier said a building in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, has been identified  to be used as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office, which will serve as a hub for economic and trade links between Sarawak and the region.

He said the office will be developed according to the same model as the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office currently operating in Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.

"We have identified a building in Pontianak to be the office of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office like the ones we built in Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The model is the same and we will place officers and staff there.

"Because there are these facilities, it can be a hub of communication between us, Sarawak and West Kalimantan," he said.

 

Bidayuh Cultural Centre to serve as a centre for preserving heritage of the community

BAU:. June 22 2026: Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB), costing RM9 million, will serve as a centre for preserving the cultural heritage of the Bidayuh community as well as a platform that strengthens unity and the spirit of togetherness among the local community.

Caption: The iconic Bidayah Cultural Centre Bau (BCCB) will open opportunities for the community ro meet

Premier Abang Johari Openg said the cultural centre provides a space for the community to gather, interact and carry out various activities that reflect the customs and traditions of the Bidayuh community in Bau.

“The existence of BCCB also opens up opportunities for the community to highlight their culture, talent and unique heritage to the younger generation and visitors.

"When we have a cultural centre, it becomes a space for the community to meet and hold cultural activities that reflect the customs and culture of the community in Bau, the majority of which is made up of the Bidayuh community.

"This is where they can highlight their culture, how they interact with each other and their talents," he said at the opening of the centre.

The premier added that the appreciation of shared culture and traditions can strengthen the relationship between communities thus fostering closer unity.

According to him, the spirit of unity instilled through cultural activities can serve as an example to other communities in efforts to preserve harmony and strengthen social relations.

The premier later handed over  a total of 1,316 land lots under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code were handed over to 1,142 recipients, involving the areas of Apar, Tabong, Segong, Tanjong Poting, Grogo, Sibuluh and Banan.

In addition, a total of 793 land lots in the SALCRA area were also handed over to 655 recipients involving the Jagoi OPE and Bratak OPE areas.

Abang  Johari also submitted the Native Communal Reserve Gazette for the Banan Area (Kampung Grogo/Sibuluh) with an area of 121 hectares and the Senggi-Poak Area, Jalan Batu Kawa, Tondong (Kampung Atas) with an area of 9.7 hectares.