KUCHING: The Sarawak government must not extend the term of the state legislature, but seek for dissolution at the end of its five-year term on June 6.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak information chief Abun Sui Anyit said the current state Cabinet ceases on that date and Sarawak should be placed under a caretaker government.
“We hope the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will not manipulate the Emergency Ordinance 2021 for its own interests or motives that are contrary to the intention of the State Constitution,” he said in a statement on Sunday (May 16).
He was responding to a statement by GPS secretary general Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg would seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the dissolution of the state assembly.
Abun urged the chief minister to act in accordance with the State Constitution, where under normal situation, the payment of salaries to the ministers and state assemblymen should stop upon the expiry of the term of the state assembly.
“This is important to protect their integrity because the chief minister holds the key to all of GPS’ actions in Sarawak,” he said.
On Saturday, Nanta said Abang Johari had met with Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, informing the head of state that the tenure of the current state assembly would end on June 6.
The date, he said, is five years from the date of the first meeting on June 7, 2016, after the state election of 2016.
“However, this provision of the State Constitution has no effect by virtue of the Emergency Ordinance 2021,” he said.
He said it was up to the Agong to decide on the date he thinks is appropriate to hold the state election.
We have full confidence and trust in the wisdom of the Agong and the Governor to decide thereon,” Nanta said.
