KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) will meet soon to discuss holding the Sarawak state election following the lifting of the statewide Emergency.

       EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said the date of the meeting would be announced soon.

       He said the EC was officially notified by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had consented to lift the Emergency in Sarawak on Wednesday (Nov 3).

       "According to Section 3(3) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) (Sarawak) Ordinance 2021, the state legislative assembly will be dissolved on the date the Emergency in Sarawak is revoked or annulled," Ikmalrudin said in a statement on Thursday (Nov 4).

       He added that under Section 3(4) of the same Ordinance, an election must be held within 60 days of the date the Emergency is revoked or annulled.

       The King gave his consent for the Emergency in Sarawak to be lifted earlier than its scheduled end next February after considering the request of the Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri and the advice of the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and relevant government agency heads.

       The Sarawak Legislative Assembly was due to dissolve automatically on June 7 following the expiry of its term, but the state election was suspended due to the nationwide Emergency which ended on Aug 1 and the subsequent Emergency in Sarawak from Aug 2 to Feb 2, 2022.