Sarawak election unlikely to be held this year

The Sarawak election is unlikely to be held this year despite speculation over early polls.

State Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said no discussions had been held on the election as it was still early.

"We have not talked about the election yet and the Chief Minister (Tan Sri Adenan Satem) has not given any hints about it.

"We have not discussed the seats or candidates. To us it's still early," he told reporters after the opening of the State Legislative Assembly sitting here on Tuesday.

Rundi said the state Barisan was still focusing on fulfilling the promises made in the last general election.

He said it was up to Adenan to decide when to call the state polls, due by June next year.

"It's not likely to be this year," he added.

On the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) naming six potential candidates last weekend, Rundi said it was the party's decision to do so.

"Barisan will meet to decide the Barisan candidates. That includes SPDP, PRS, PBB and SUPP, so we leave it to the wisdom of the Chief Minister," he said, adding that PBB had not discussed its candidates yet.