By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, June 5: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has stressed that only the Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, can determine when the State election is likely to take place.
He said the prerogative and discretion to dissolve the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) rests solely with the Premier, following remarks by Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian that the election could be held in less than 100 days during SUPP’s 67th anniversary flag-raising ceremony yesterday (June 4).
“The only person who can probably indicate roughly when the election will be held is the Premier because the prerogative and discretion to dissolve the DUS is on him,” Abdul Karim told reporters during a press conference at Baitulmakmur II here today.
While acknowledging the speculation surrounding the election timeline, Abdul Karim said all political parties are aware that the election must be held this year.
“Whether it is within 100 days or another two to three months later—perhaps even 200 days—we are all waiting for the Premier’s decision to seek consent from the Governor to dissolve the Sarawak Legislative Assembly,” he said.
He pointed out that the current DUS term expires at the end of the year, and an election must be held within 60 days after the assembly is dissolved.
He also said the selection of confirmed candidates is under the Premier’s prerogative, adding that every election usually sees about 10 to 30 per cent new faces as parties drop some candidates and bring in fresh ones to ensure leadership renewal and to meet public expectations.
Additionally, he suggested that holding state and general elections simultaneously would be more economical, as conducting them separately would significantly increase overall costs.
“Holding a state election today could cost around half a billion ringgit. Then, if a general election is held two or three months later, that would cost another half a billion. The costs are essentially the same. From an economic standpoint, I personally feel it would make more sense to hold them together,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the 100-day election scenario remains possible if political circumstances change, noting that the Premier is closely monitoring developments in Peninsular Malaysia, where more states may head to the polls following the dissolution of state assemblies in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
“As far as the 100 days are concerned, that is Dr Sim’s projection. It could happen within 100 days, or it could be later. What we know for sure is that the election has to be held this year,” he added. — DayakDaily
