Because of the national state of emergency, state elections were not able to be held. While the national emergency was lifted on Sept 1, it was originally extended in Sarawak until Feb 2, 2022.

In a statement today, Istana Negara said the decision had been made following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s pre-Cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob this morning, during which he agreed to accept Ismail’s advice on terminating the Emergency.

Yesterday, the King also held discussions on the matter with several parties, including Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, Attorney-General Idrus Harun, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani and health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The Palace said that having considered the views of different parties, “His Majesty has given his consent for the emergency proclamation in Sarawak to be terminated”.

The termination was in line with Section 2 of the Emergency (Essential Powers) (Sarawak) Ordinance 2021, the Palace stated, which allowed for it to be lifted early upon consultation with the Sarawak governor.

“His Majesty expressed his concern over the increased risk of Covid-19 spread should a state election be held,” it said.

“In His Majesty’s view, the country is still struggling to face the threat of Covid-19 and the spread of the virus is still at an alarming level.

“His Majesty’s consent to the termination of the proclamation of emergency was a difficult and complicated decision. However, it has been allowed in order to meet the needs of democracy and return power to the people, to make their choices and give their mandate through the formation of a new state government.”

While no date has been specified, Election Commission secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak had said in August that an election would be held within 60 days of the Emergency’s revocation or annulment.

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