By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 29: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg clarifies that he did not have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah yesterday (Oct 28).
He said he only had the opportunity to meet Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Nazrin Shah earlier.
“I did not have an audience with the (Yang di-Pertuan Agong). I only met with the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Our Agong had just returned home, so the Agong would have to look at the latest information (first) and after that the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud) would have an audience with the Agong,” he told reporters after officiating the presentation of Section 18 land titles under Sarawak Land Code to Semariang constituents ceremony held in Kuching today.
Asked when the meeting will take place, Abang Johari said he wouldn’t know as that was the decision of the King.
“That is the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.
Rumours were rife that Abang Johari had sought audience with the King to discuss on the lifting of the Emergency earlier than Feb 2, 2022, to pave way for the 12th Sarawak Election.
This was because the term of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) had expired in June this year but the pending election could not be held following a hike in number of Covid-19 cases which subsequently have Sarawak placed under the Emergency Ordinance since August 2022.
Following the recent decline in the number of Covid-19 daily infections, the Election Commision’s announcement of Melaka’s nomination and polling dates, as well as Abang Johari trips to Kuala Lumpur, there were wild speculations that he would dissolve Sarawak Legislative Assembly to pave way for Sarawak which he had denied last week. — DayakDaily
