Date of holding the Sarawak state election will be fixed once the State Legislative Assembly is dissolved, says PBB information chief

KUCHING, Oct 17 2026: PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stressed that the date of the 13th state election will be fixed  after the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (SLA) is dissolved..

Caption: PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah explains that the under the election law, an election must be he held within 60 days

He said once the SLA is dissolved, the Election Commission will meet to decide, among others, the nomination and polling dates.

He said the decision regarding the timing of the SLA's dissolution is the prerogative of the Premier Abang Johari Openg.

Karim, who is also the state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, said the timing of nomination of candidates and polling day must account for several critical processes, including the EC’s administrative requirements and the designated campaign period, to ensure the entire process proceeds smoothly.

He explained that, under the election law, an election must be held within 60 days of the SLA's dissolution.

“So, the available window is narrowing. I would say we only have about a month and a half, that is, in November to the first half of December,” he remarked at a press conference after presenting prizes to the winners of a writing competition.

He said noted that any projections regarding the election timeline must be viewed in the context of the established processes and schedules.

He added that even if SLA's term were to expire automatically, the election would still be required to take place within the timeframe stipulated by law.

He added that the suitability of the timing and the smooth execution of the entire electoral process are key considerations in determining when the election will be held.