KUCHING: Amidst mounting speculation that the Sarawak legislative assembly will be dissolved soon, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg says that any decision on the matter is in the hands of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

       The Chief Minister said he met the King to discuss the Emergency and Covid-19 situation in Sarawak but did not say when the audience took place.

       "That's all, nothing else," he told reporters after launching the Sri Aman Development Agency in Simanggang town, about 190km from here, on Thursday (Oct 21).

       Asked if the state election would be held soon, Abang Johari said he did not know.

       "That is (in) the Agong's power. If he says election, then we will have the election. I cannot tell you in detail because it is not (in) my power," he said.

       On rumours that the state assembly would be dissolved tomorrow (Oct 22), Abang Johari said he was surprised to hear it and reiterated that he did not know the dissolution date.

       "Just wait over the next one to two days or week. I'm also waiting. I know we are seeing the Covid-19 cases coming down, maybe that's why people are asking if election time is soon," he added.

       The Chief Minister’s Office has also clarified media reports that Abang Johari will hold a press conference tomorrow (Oct 22) on the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.

       “This office wishes to clarify that no such meeting is scheduled to happen for now or tomorrow as reported,” it said.

       The state assembly expired on June 6, 2021, but polls had been put off after a national Emergency was declared due to Covid-19.

       But after the Emergency was lifted on Aug 1, another Emergency was declared in Sarawak until February next year.