Abang Johari receives a warm welcome upon arriving at the PBB Betong Zone Special Convention followed by Uggah. – Ukas photo
KUCHING (Aug 1): The date for Sarawak’s next state election has yet to be decided, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg saying the polls could be held anytime between October and December.
“There is still time. It could be October or November or even December, nothing is certain yet,” he said when officiating at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Betong Zone Special Convention.
Abang Johari, who is also PBB president and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, was responding to a question raised by Deputy Premier cum PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the event.
Earlier in his welcoming remarks, Uggah had turned to the Premier and asked: “Bila election, boss?” (When is the election, Premier?)
Abang Johari said PBB must be prepared to defend all its state seats in the upcoming state election.
Currently, PBB holds 47 of the 82 seats in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
“We will continue our development initiatives for Sarawak so that it will become the most developed region in Malaysia by 2030,” he said.
On the special convention, Abang Johari said it provided a platform for PBB leaders and members to reflect on their achievements, evaluate their performance and prepare for future challenges.
He likened the convention to a revision session before an examination.
“Like sitting for an examination, we revise beforehand. For subjects in which we are weak, we work extra hard to improve our performance.
“For subjects that we are already good at, we continue to work hard so that we can score As for all the subjects,” he added.
Abang Johari said the convention allowed PBB to gather and assess its past achievements, review the programmes implemented and strengthen preparations for the future.
Last month, the Premier said the next state election was expected to maintain the existing 82 seats if the proposed addition of 17 new seats was not finalised in time by the Election Commission (EC).
The 13th Sarawak State Election must be held by February next year, before the current State Legislative Assembly term expires.