Sarawak assembly to dissolve on 26 October, state election due within 60 days

The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) will be dissolved on Monday, 26 October 2026, paving the way for the 13th Sarawak state election, which must be held within 60 days. Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced it at a special press conference at the Satria Pertiwi Complex in Kuching on the afternoon of Friday, 23 October, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) and Bernama reported.

What was announced

Abang Johari said he made the decision after obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. The reports do not give a nomination or polling date. The Election Commission (EC) usually sets those after dissolution.

He urged all political parties, their supporters and candidates to keep their conduct in check and respect the law throughout the campaign. "Let us together preserve the peace, unity and harmony of Sarawak that we cherish so much. That way, people can choose freely and with confidence for a better future for Sarawak," he said, as quoted by FMT.

Why now

The assembly held the last sitting of this term last week, and the Sarawak Budget 2027 was passed at that sitting, Bernama reported. The budget was tabled on 12 October, as covered in Sarawak Budget 2027 tabled, assembly may be dissolved in November. FMT reported on 21 October that dissolution rumours had grown through the week.

The reports differ on when the current term ends. FMT says the assembly would dissolve automatically in December if no dissolution was called, while Bernama says the 82-seat assembly's term expires in February 2027. Both say the last election was held on 18 December 2021.

On 21 October, FMT quoted state minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah as saying the election could be held in December, with 12 to 19 December looking suitable. That is the minister's view, not an EC date.

Seats before dissolution

In the 2021 state election, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) won 76 of the 82 seats, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) four and DAP two. One PSB assemblyman later left the party and became an independent who backs Abang Johari, and PSB was dissolved as its leaders and members joined the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), a GPS component, FMT reported.

Before dissolution, the assembly was made up of:

• 79 GPS assemblymen
• 1 independent who supports the state government
• 2 DAP assemblymen on the opposition bench

What happens next

After 26 October, the EC will set the nomination and polling dates. Sixty days from 26 October ends on 25 December, so that is the latest date under the stated limit.

The Sarawak election comes while Melaka is also heading to the polls, with nomination on 31 October and polling on 14 November, as in PKR confirms nine Melaka seats, Pakatan to name candidates on 24 October. The reports do not yet carry candidate lists from the parties contesting in Sarawak, and their statements will be reported as they come.

Sources

• Free Malaysia Today, Sarawak assembly to dissolve next Monday, 23 October 2026
• Free Malaysia Today, DUN Sarawak bubar 26 Okt, 23 October 2026 (in Malay)
• Malay Mail (Bernama), Abang Johari calls for Sarawak state assembly dissolution on Monday, 23 October 2026
• Malay Mail (Bernama), Sarawak Premier's Office holds special press conference this afternoon amid talk of DUN dissolution, 23 October 2026
• Free Malaysia Today, Rumours rife on Sarawak assembly dissolution this week, 21 October 2026