THE king has asked the state government to function as normal after the mandatory dissolution of the state assembly on June 6, said Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg. 

Abang Johari said Yang di-Pertuan Agong was exercising his rights under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 in making the call. 

The chief minister, who had an audience with the king virtually today, said in a statement the Agong was of the view now was not the best time to hold the state’s 12th elections.

The heads of all four parties in the Gabungan Parti Sarawak – the state’s ruling coalition – accompanied Abang Johari in the call. 

Under the state constitution, the assembly will automatically dissolve on June 6, five years to the day when the assembly first sat after the 2016 election, if it is not dissolved to pave the way for elections. 

However, when the emergency was declared by the Agong on January 11 – which ends on August 1 – it superseded the powers of the state constitution and left the decision to dissolve the assembly in the hands of the king. 

The king must however consult the Sarawak governor on it. 

In accordance with the powers that have been bestowed on the king, the chief minister has left the decision to dissolve the state assembly at the most appropriate date to the wisdom of the king and the governor, the statement added. – May 25, 2021.