Sarawak state assembly dissolved
Published: Mar 21, 2011 5:25 AM | Updated: Mar 21, 2011 8:24 AM
The Sarawak state assembly was dissolved today, paving the way for the 10th state election.
The Sarawak state assembly was dissolved today, paving the way for the 10th state election.
Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar told a news conference in Kuching that the proclamation of the dissolution, signed by Yang Dipertua Negeri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, was received this morning.
He said that the notice of dissolution would be handed over to Election Commission chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof tomorrow.
The EC is expected to meet in Kuching on Wednesday to decide on the dates for the nomination and polling.
Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud announced on Saturday that the state assembly would be dissolved today.
BN controls 63 of the 71-seat assembly after Engkilili assemblyperson, Dr Jonical Rayong Ngipa, who contested on an opposition Sarawak National Party (Snap) ticket in the last state election on May 20, 2006, joined the BN last year.
DAP controls six seats while PKR and Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM), through an Independent representative, control a seat each.
Polls expected to be in April
Political pundits say polls would be held in April since an election must be held within 60 days of the assembly's dissolution.
The vote in the oil and mineral rich state is viewed as a barometer of the ruling BN's popularity ahead of possible a general election this year and will follow three by-election wins for the BN so far in 2011.
"There is little doubt that the results of the state elections will be used as a snapshot of the popularity of both the Sarawak and federal government," said James Chin, a professor of political science at the University of Monash's Kuala Lumpur campus.
National polls do not have to be called until 2013 but a strong result in Sarawak is seen as increasing the likelihood of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak going to the people this year.
The opposition plans to contest every seat, setting the stage for a heated battle.
Sarawak and Sabah jointly contribute 56 of the 222 seats in the parliament.
In 2008 the coalition lost ground in peninsular Malaysia but swept 54 Borneo electorates, a large chunk of the 137 seats that enabled it to remain in power.
- Agencies
Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar told a news conference in Kuching that the proclamation of the dissolution, signed by Yang Dipertua Negeri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, was received this morning.
He said that the notice of dissolution would be handed over to Election Commission chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof tomorrow.
The EC is expected to meet in Kuching on Wednesday to decide on the dates for the nomination and polling.
Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud announced on Saturday that the state assembly would be dissolved today.BN controls 63 of the 71-seat assembly after Engkilili assemblyperson, Dr Jonical Rayong Ngipa, who contested on an opposition Sarawak National Party (Snap) ticket in the last state election on May 20, 2006, joined the BN last year.
DAP controls six seats while PKR and Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM), through an Independent representative, control a seat each.
Polls expected to be in April
Political pundits say polls would be held in April since an election must be held within 60 days of the assembly's dissolution.
The vote in the oil and mineral rich state is viewed as a barometer of the ruling BN's popularity ahead of possible a general election this year and will follow three by-election wins for the BN so far in 2011.
"There is little doubt that the results of the state elections will be used as a snapshot of the popularity of both the Sarawak and federal government," said James Chin, a professor of political science at the University of Monash's Kuala Lumpur campus.
National polls do not have to be called until 2013 but a strong result in Sarawak is seen as increasing the likelihood of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak going to the people this year.
The opposition plans to contest every seat, setting the stage for a heated battle.
Sarawak and Sabah jointly contribute 56 of the 222 seats in the parliament.
In 2008 the coalition lost ground in peninsular Malaysia but swept 54 Borneo electorates, a large chunk of the 137 seats that enabled it to remain in power.
- Agencies
View Comments0