By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Oct 22: Speculation over a possible dissolution of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) is growing after Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hinted that an anticipated Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) gathering tomorrow could instead be an announcement.
“Well, the way I see it, it might not be a meeting, but it might be an announcement,” he said at a press conference after the 61st SABERKAS Sarawak Supreme Committee Meeting at a hotel here today.
Abdul Karim remained tight-lipped on the matter, explaining that GPS meetings typically involve the presidents and secretaries of its four component parties, positions he does not hold.
On the possible dissolution of the DUS and the timing of the State election, he said the process would depend on the relevant authorities and the Election Commission (EC).
He explained that once the Assembly is dissolved by the Premier with the consent of the Sarawak Governor, the Speaker would notify the EC.
The commission would then determine the nomination date, polling date and campaign period, he said.
Abdul Karim added that, based on recent election trends, the current EC committee had generally allowed a campaign period of about two weeks.
“From what I know, we will leave it to the EC. But the trend of the existing EC committee is that they always give two weeks,” he said.
Citing previous state elections in Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka, he said campaign periods had generally lasted around two weeks, although the EC could set a shorter or longer period.
He said he could not comment on whether any special considerations would influence the timing of an announcement on the Assembly’s dissolution. — DayakDaily
