By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, May 19: Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has welcomed holding the Sarawak election (PRN) concurrently with the general election (PRU) to reduce costs and avoid additional spending by the Election Commission (EC) on separate polls.
Abdul Karim said that an early general election cannot be ruled out should Sarawak proceed with its State election, as several Peninsular states, including Malacca, Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, may also head towards State polls amid ongoing political tensions and internal Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) matters involving Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
His remarks came after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reportedly warned that a general election could be called if political cooperation among parties continues to be undermined.
“Our term will end in December, or at the latest by February, because of automatic dissolution if the Premier does not dissolve the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) before the expiry date.
“Once the five-year term ends, it will automatically dissolve under election laws, and an election must then be held within 60 days. Sixty days means two months, which is why I say February at the latest,” he told reporters at the DUS media room today.
He said holding separate elections would place a heavy burden on public funds, particularly if both State and parliamentary polls are conducted independently.
“If the cost of conducting a State election is close to RM1 billion, then holding the parliamentary election separately would involve another huge expenditure.
“So if both are held simultaneously, the cost would only be incurred once. If I’m not mistaken, the last State election alone cost about RM600 million through SPR,” he said.
Abdul Karim also stressed that Sarawak remains prepared, noting that the ruling coalition has continued serving the people since its convincing victory in the last State election.
He also added that the timing of the election, whether sooner or later, is not the party’s main concern. — DayakDaily
