By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Oct 22: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has remained tight-lipped on whether Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will hold a meeting tomorrow, hinting that it could instead be an announcement.
When asked whether GPS would convene a special meeting amid speculation over a possible announcement, Abdul Karim said he was unsure, adding that he was not aware of any PBB meeting scheduled for tomorrow either.
“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.
He explained that GPS meetings typically involve only the presidents and secretaries of its four component parties, positions he does not hold.
On the timeline for the dissolution of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) and the state election, Abdul Karim 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 campaign period under the current EC committee had generally been around 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 campaigning had generally lasted two weeks, although the EC could set a shorter or longer period.
He said he could not comment on whether special considerations would determine the timing of an announcement on the Assembly’s dissolution. — DayakDaily
