Sarawak Emergency extended to Feb 2022, no state elections until then

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak will remain under a state of emergency until Feb 2, 2022 and as such, its state elections will not be held until the emergency is lifted.

In a Federal Gazette released on Friday (July 29) night on the proclamation of emergency for Sarawak, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong proclaimed that a grave emergency exists and that the proclamation must cover the entire state from Aug 2 to Feb 2, 2022.

The gazette said the state assembly was supposed to be dissolved on June 7 but this was suspended due to the nationwide state of emergency that took effect from Jan 12 and is scheduled to lapse on Aug 1.

If the state of emergency lapses, the Sarawak state election would have been required to be held within sixty days from Aug 2.

However, with the King extending the state of emergency for Sarawak, this means that no state elections would be held this year.

"And whereas Clause 1 of Article 150 of the Federal Constitution provides that in the said circumstances that we may issue a proclamation of emergency to suspend the general election to the Dewan Undangan Negeri in order to prevent any further increase in the spread of the epidemic of Covid-19 if the general election is held," said the King in the gazette issued at Istana Abdulaziz in Kuantan, Pahang on Friday (July 29).

It also noted that the gazette shall be laid before Parliament pursuant to Article 150(3).

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Parliament) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had announced in the Dewan Rakyat on July 26 that the Perikatan Nasional government would not seek an extension on the current emergency proclamation beyond Aug 1.