By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 2: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has dispelled rumours that the ruling coalition is preparing for a snap election.
When asked by the media if the just-concluded GPS workshop held between Oct 31 and Nov 1 was a preparatory session for a snap election, the chief minister brushed off the question with a laugh, while claiming that he himself did not have any clue of when the Sarawak election would be held.
The 12th state election is due in 2021.
“It is a pre-budget workshop, not preparing for the state election. I don’t know when is the election,” he told reporters after the agreement signing ceremony between Saradise Sdn Bhd and Borneo International School here today.
Rumours of a snap election came about after a two-day gathering of GPS leaders for the pre-budget meeting at a local hotel here on Thursday.
Due to the high secrecy, it has been speculated that although the meeting was on Sarawak Budget 2020, which will be tabled by Abang Johari at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Monday, Nov 4, parts of the meeting might touch on the preparation of a snap election that may be called in a very near future.
Putting rumours aside, while it is within the ambit of the chief minister’s power to call for the dissolution of the state DUN, the date of the election is the prerogative of the Election Commission (EC).
However, if Abang Johari were to announce the dissolution of the DUN after the end of the upcoming session on Nov 13, EC must call for the state election within 90 days. — DayakDaily
