KUCHING: Today is Nomination Day for the 12th Sarawak Election.
Eighty-two seats are up for grabs in the fight for the country's biggest state legislative assembly.
The nomination of candidates will take place between 9am to 10 am.
A total of 1,252,014 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots on Dec 18. Early voting is on Dec 14.
For the first time, the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is going into the election wholly as a state coalition with its four component parties - Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) - since they quit the federal Barisan Nasional (BN) pact in 2018.
In the last 2016 state polls, the four parties and directly appointed candidates swept 72 seats including two unopposed, namely Bukit Sari and Bukit Kota.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is chairman of GPS. He is also PBB president.
Abang Jo, as he is affectionately known locally, will be contesting the rural Gedong seat this time, relinquishing his traditional Satok stronghold in Kuching after 40 years to his PBB Satok deputy chairman, Datuk Ibrahim Baki.
The number of candidates is expected to surpass the record of 229 contestants in 2016, going by the announcements by several other political parties who have already unveiled their challengers in the run-up to nomination day.
They include DAP, PKR, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), Sarawak People's Aspiration Party (Aspirasi), Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) and PAS.
The election had to be postponed from the middle of this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic as the people's safety came first.
A nationwide emergency was imposed from January to August and subsequently Sarawak was placed under another six-month emergency which was however lifted on Nov 3 by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, paving the way for the election to be held.
To prevent the spread of infection, the Election Commission is allowing campaigning activities within the respective state constituencies but cross-constituency campaigning is banned.
Ceramahs (rallies) and public speeches, however, are allowed in 64 constituencies with poor internet access. The number of attendees, however, should not exceed 50 per cent of the venue capacity or 150 people at any one time.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Dec 06 2021
Eighty-two seats are up for grabs in the fight for the country's biggest state legislative assembly. - AWANI
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.