Sarawak’s Legislative Assembly is due to dissolve Oct. 26 ahead of Malaysia’s fourth state election of 2026, a vote that could shape the regional coalition’s role in national politics.
Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the move at an Oct. 23 briefing, saying Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had consented to the dissolution. The Election Commission has a 60-day window to conduct statewide polls.
Sarawak, on Borneo, is Malaysia’s largest state and a major oil and gas producer, Bloomberg reported. The outlet said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), a coalition of local parties, is favored to retain control. GPS won 76 of 82 assembly seats in 2021, Bloomberg reported.
The coalition has backed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s federal government while seeking more autonomy and control over state resources, Bloomberg reported. Bloomberg reported that Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition won two seats in the previous Sarawak election. Bloomberg said Anwar has offered Sarawak and neighboring Sabah additional development funding and local decision-making powers, along with stronger recognition of their state rights.
Parties from Sarawak and Sabah could again influence national government formation if the next national vote, due in a little over a year, leaves Parliament without a majority, Bloomberg reported. Bloomberg pointed to the hung Parliament that followed the 2022 vote as a precedent.
Bloomberg reported that Anwar’s coalition suffered major losses in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, where Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional worked together. The parties are expected to cooperate again in Melaka’s Nov. 14 state election, Bloomberg reported.
