KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) has been notified of the dissolution of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, says Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
He said a letter on the dissolution was sent to EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun on Tuesday (Oct 27) for the necessary action to determine key dates for the state election.
This follows Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg's announcement last week that the state assembly would be dissolved on Monday (Oct 26) with the consent of Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Asfia said Article 21(4) of the state constitution provides that an election must be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution, while the new legislative assembly must meet not less than 120 days later.
"The election is within the purview and exclusive preserve of the EC to announce the dates of nomination day and polling day and conduct of elections, pursuant to Article 113 of the Federal Constitution," he told a press conference at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex on Tuesday.
Asfia said the coming election would involve the current 82 state constituencies.
He said the creation of 17 new seats approved by the state legislature last year would regrettably not be completed in time for the polls.
Asked if he would be willing to contest amid talk of candidate changes in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Asfia did not dismiss the possibility.
However, he clarified that under Sarawak law, the Speaker does not have to be an elected representative in the state assembly.
"If I am nominated, my answer is 'Pantang undur bah (never retreat)'!
"The Speaker can contest if nominated by the party to which he belongs," he said.
Asfia is currently serving his 10th term as speaker after first being appointed on Nov 15, 2000.
He was previously the assemblyman for Kuala Rajang and Serdeng/Semop.
He is also the permanent chairman of PBB, the main component party of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition.
