No dissolution, Agong tells Sarawak govt

The Sarawak government will remain after the expiry of its mandate next month, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong told state leaders in a virtual royal audience today.

A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had expressed concern over the worsening Covid-19 situation, and said that the state government should function as usual with the powers under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021.

The online meeting was attended by key leaders of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak led by Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg.

The tenure of the Sarawak state assembly will end on June 6, five years after the 2016 state election.

According to the Sarawak constitution, a state election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.

In January, Sultan Abdullah invoked his constitutional powers to declare a state of emergency across the country, suspending Parliament as well as state assemblies in a bid to prevent elections which health experts had warned could trigger a major spike in cases.

This followed threats by a group of Umno MPs to revoke their support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s fragile government, which could have led to a snap election.