Recently I have mentioned to our media friends that the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) term will automatically dissolve on August 1, 2021 if there is no extension of the nationwide emergency.
Speaking as the vice-president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), I have also mentioned that when the emergency ends on Aug 1, our 12th State Election (PRN12) must be held within 60 days from that date.
The term of the present DUN as stipulated in the Federal Constitution and State Constitution is five years which ends on June 6, 2021, which is now superseded by the Emergency Ordinance 2021. Upon its dissolution, the law stipulates that an election must be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution. However, due to the emergency being imposed now, the emergency powers override the constitution.
I have also stressed that the emergency was proclaimed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. If, on August 1, the pandemic has not subsided in Sarawak and the Yang Dipertuan Agong feels that it is not safe for the state election to be held, he may proclaim further extension to the emergency and the state election will be further delayed.
On my personal view on the question of when is the right time for our state election to be held, I have mentioned that it is dependent on the Covid-19 situation because the safety of our local folks is of utmost importance and this should not be compromised. We also hope that with the extensive vaccination programme being done, it could bring down the spike of Covid-19 cases and thus make way for the election to be held safely.
Previously on May 25, our Chief Minister Office (CMO) in a statement had announced that Duli Yang Maha Mulia, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had advised Sarawak's Government to function as usual with the powers under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 after looking at the rather worrying situation of Covid-19, .
This was also after leaders of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government, led by our Right Honourable Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, had an audience with the King via online meeting regarding the DUN term and PRN12.
The statement also said that following the declaration of emergency on January 11 until August 1, the power to dissolve the Sarawak DUN falls under the jurisdiction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in accordance with Article 13 and Article 15 of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021.
In line with the authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, our Chief Minister had handed over the decision to dissolve Sarawak's state assembly on an appropriate date at the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong together with the Head of State of Sarawak after receiving advice from the Attorney-General, Election Commission (EC), Health Ministry, Royal Malaysian Police, and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
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