SARAWAK’S political landscape is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, with growing speculation that the 13th state election could be held as early as November following reports that the State Legislative Assembly will convene its final sitting in mid-October.
Although the DUN secretariat has yet to issue an official notice, the sitting is expected to be gazetted in September. The state’s 2027 Budget is also expected to be tabled during the session, potentially making it the final major legislative sitting before the assembly’s dissolution.
The timing has fuelled renewed election speculation, particularly as the previous year-end sittings in 2024 and 2025 were held in November.
There has been no formal indication from the state government on when the assembly might be dissolved. However, expectations are growing that dissolution could follow shortly after the October sitting, setting the stage for an election before the year-end school holidays begin on 5 December.
Under the State Constitution, a state election must be held within 60 days of the assembly being dissolved.
The timing is also being watched closely amid an ongoing redelineation exercise by the Election Commission, which could increase the number of Sarawak’s state constituencies from 82 to 99.
However, senior state and federal leaders, including Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, have questioned whether the redelineation process can be completed in time for the next election.
If the exercise is not completed before the assembly is dissolved, the election will be contested under the existing boundaries, with voters going to the polls across 82 constituencies.
With the October sitting now emerging as a potential trigger point, attention is expected to remain focused on the timing of the assembly’s formal notice and any subsequent decision on dissolution. - August 13, 2026
