KUCHING: In view of the worrying Covid-19 pandemic situation, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has advised the state government to function as usual with the powers under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021.
Leaders of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government, led by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, had a virtual meeting with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today (May 25) regarding the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) term and the 12th state election.
During the session, the chief minister informed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the expiry of the Sarawak DUN’s term on June 6.
“According to the State Constitution, the Sarawak DUN must be dissolved and an election must be conducted,” read a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
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, the chief minister has handed over the decision to dissolve the Sarawak DUN 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),” read the statement.
Abang Johari is also GPS chairman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president.
Attending the virtual meeting with him were presidents of the other component parties under GPS, namely Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Also present were PBB deputy presidents Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
