Asfia formally notifies EC of DUN dissolution

KUCHING: State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nassar has formally notified the Election Commission (EC) that the Sarawak Assembly was dissolved on Oct 26, paving the way for the 13th Sarawak State Election.

He said a notification letter dated today (Oct 27) has been sent to EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun to inform the commission of the dissolution.

“In this regard, I have informed the chairman of the Election Commission, Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, that the Assembly was dissolved on Oct 26. My letter is dated today, Oct 27, and we have sent it to the EC chairman,” he said.

Asfia was speaking at a press conference at the DUN Complex here today to explain the formal process following the dissolution.

He said the dissolution instrument had been signed by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar on Oct 23, following the consent for the Assembly to be dissolved effective Oct 26.

Asfia said the dissolution was carried out in accordance with Article 21(2) of the Sarawak Constitution, which empowers the Governor to prorogue or dissolve the Assembly.

Under Article 21(4) of the state constitution, a state election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution, while the new Assembly must be summoned to meet within 120 days from the date of dissolution.

He stressed that the conduct of the election fell exclusively under the jurisdiction of the EC, which would determine the nomination, polling and other election dates in accordance with Article 113 of the Federal Constitution.

“The Election Commission has the authority to announce the dates for nomination and polling, as well as oversee the conduct of the election,” he said.

Asfia also said that the coming state election would involve the existing 82 constituencies, as the 17 additional seats approved by the DUN on July 7, 2025, would not be ready for use in time for the polls.

He explained that the electoral boundary review process for the proposed new constituencies had not been completed.

Following the dissolution, the EC will issue the election writs and publish the official election notice before proceeding with the nomination and polling timetable.

The state election must be held within 60 days from Oct 26, while the first sitting of the newly elected Assembly must take place within 120 days of the dissolution.