Sarawak CM optimistic of good BN majority in state election

"We are not so much concerned who will form the next state government as we are very optimistic of a very good majority for the BN," he said when he announced today that the state legislative assembly will be dissolved on April 11 to pave the way for the 11th state election.

Adenan also said he hoped that the Chinese community would translate its "good support" for his government into votes for the BN.

The election will see contest for 82 seats in the state legislative assembly, 11 more than in the previous election in 2011.

Adenan said at a press conference at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here that the BN candidates list would be finalised before nomination day.

Adenan said BN component Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu had already announced three-quarters of its candidates while Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) had named all its 11 candidates.

"As for Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and its splinter BN-friendly United People's Party (UPP), they have yet to finalise their candidates but there is already an agreement between them on the seat allocation," he said.

He said some candidates would contest as BN direct candidates because of the tussle for seats and other issues affecting SUPP and UPP and the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and its splinter party Teras (Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak).

"I cannot tell you now the exact numbers. You will know before nomination," he said.

The Election Commission, after being informed by the State Assembly Speaker, will meet to decide the dates for nomination and polling.

BN holds 55 of the 71 seats in the present assembly, DAP 12 and PKR three. There is one Independent.