KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has picked the date for the next state election, although he did not reveal when it would be held.
The state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman did not give any hint whether it would be this year or next year, only that the date would definitely be beefore June 20 next year when the current State Legislative Assembly expires.
“I have decided on the election date, but I would not give it away,” he told reporters at Wisma Bapa Malaysia today.
He also added that the list of BN candidates was almost finalised. He had previously reiterated that BN would be fielding several new faces.
On Aug 18, The Borneo Post reported Adenan saying that he could dissolve the state legislative assembly after presenting the state budget in November.
He reportedly said the important factor now was for the 11 new state seats to be approved in Parliament so they could be included in the coming state polls. Adenan disclosed that he had talked to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak about the 11 new seats namely Batu Kitang, Stakan, Serembu, Triboh, Gedong, Kabong, Tellian, Selirik, Murum, Samalaju and Long Lama.
Najib is expected to table the proposed new seats in the October Parliament sitting. The process can be finalised once a simple majority is obtained.