Sarawak’s Legislative Assembly will be dissolved on Monday, Oct 26, starting the constitutional timetable for a state election—not voting itself. Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg announced the decision at a press conference in Kuching on Oct 23 after obtaining the Governor’s consent, DayakDaily and The Star reported. The Election Commission will set and announce nomination and polling dates. The distinction matters for voters making travel or leave arrangements: Oct 26 is the dissolution date, not an announced polling day. Under the constitutional timetable described by the Premier, the election must be held within 60 days of dissolution. The new Assembly must be summoned to meet within 120 days. The state government will serve in a caretaker capacity during the election period. Abang Johari said public administration and essential services would continue, so the dissolution does not mean a shutdown of government services. The current Assembly first met on Feb 14, 2022. The announcement brings its term to an early end; the next practical milestone for voters is the Election Commission’s election timetable.

Rules for replacing overlapping public holidays are on the agenda when the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sits from October 12 to 21. The Speaker said at an October 9 pre-sitting press conference in Kuching that a Public Holidays amendment would clarify the replacement mechanism when two public holidays fall on the same day. This is a bill to be tabled, not an announcement of an additional day off. Employers and families planning their calendars still need the final provisions and any subsequent official holiday notice. The sitting will also consider the Sarawak State Library amendment. It aims to streamline governance and allow a memorial archive preserving material on notable figures, events, heritage, culture and state history. Establishing the legal basis for an archive is separate from opening a new public facility. Four bills are scheduled in all. The other two are the Supply Bill for the 2027 State Budget and supplementary supply for 2026. The Speaker described this as the final sitting of the current term; the announcement did not give an election date.