PETALING JAYA: Rumours are rife that the Sarawak legislative assembly will be dissolved this week, paving the way for the 13th state election.
The rumours were triggered by reports that Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg is set to make an important announcement on Friday, Berita Harian reported.
There is also speculation that the dissolution could be announced today, since it is the final day of the state assembly's second meeting of the year.
The state assembly dissolves automatically in December, if a dissolution is not called for before then, after which an election must be held within 60 days.
The last Sarawak election was held in December 2021.
State minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state election could be held in December, adding that anytime between Dec 12 and 19 seemed like suitable dates.
The ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak won 76 of the 82 elected seats in the 2021 state polls, while then opposition party Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) secured four, and DAP two.
One PSB assemblyman, See Chee How (Batu Lintang), later left the party to become an independent and voiced support for Abang Johari.
PSB eventually dissolved as its leaders and members joined the Progressive Democratic Party, a GPS component, en masse.
This means the Sarawak assembly currently comprises 79 GPS assemblymen, one pro-government independent assemblyman, and two DAP assemblymen, who are in the opposition benches.