Chief Minister says letter of dissolution given to Speaker, EC to determine nomination and polling dates
Adenan putting up a victory sign after chairing the press conference where he announced the dissolution of State Legislative Assembly at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
KUCHING: The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) will be dissolved on April 11.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem made the announcement yesterday afternoon at a press conference at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
He said he had an audience with Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday morning and the latter had agreed to dissolve the assembly on the second Monday of April.
“This morning I met Yang Di-Pertua Negeri on DUN dissolution because only he can dissolve it. He has agreed to dissolve DUN on Apr 11. After that, it is up to the EC (Election Commission) to determine nomination and polling dates.”
“I have no power to decide nomination day or the day of polling. The letter of DUN dissolution has been given to the Speaker. He will inform the EC and from there, it will be EC’s call.”
On the finalisation of BN candidate list, Adenan said the ruling coalition would have the list ready by nomination day.
“As far as PRS is concerned, it is finalised. As for PBB, I think three-quarters (of the list) are finalised already. There are still some loose ends to deal with. SPDP and SUPP, not yet but there is an agreement just like I have promised that the matter will be resolved before nomination day.”
On direct BN candidates, Adenan said there would be several seats allocated to them and these seats involved SPDP/Teras and SUPP/UPP.
However, presently he could not reveal the number of seats which would be contested by direct BN candidates but stressed that the issue would be resolved before nomination day.
(From left) Second Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg posing for the media after the press conference where Adenan announced the dissolution of State Legislative Assembly.
Adenan (centre, seated) announcing the dissolution of State Legislative Assembly at a packed press conference in his office yesterday.
On whether direct candidates must resign from their parties before nomination, Adenan did not give a direct answer except to say that “the matter will be resolved before nomination day”.
“I will reveal the full list of BN candidates before the nomination day,” said Adenan after being asked when he would announce the full list.
On another matter, the chief minister appealed to the Chinese community to turn their support for him into votes.
“Very simple, convert your support for me into votes for BN because what is counted is not your voice but the (ballot) paper.”
Adenan expressed confidence that state BN would win the state election and form the next state government.
“I am quite confident that we will carry the day. The question is not so much who is going to form the next government but how big is our majority,” said Adenan.
With the announcement, EC will take over to make preparations for the 11th state election.
The difference in this state election from the previous one is that this time around there will be 82 seats to be contested, including 11 new seats.