PETALING JAYA: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) vice-chairman Dr Sim Kui Hian has indicated that the next Sarawak state election could be called within the next 100 days, despite the current state assembly’s term only expiring in April 2027.

Speaking at the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) 67th anniversary celebration, Dr Sim urged party members to intensify preparations and strengthen grassroots engagement ahead of what he described as an imminent political contest.

“We are fighting the war less than 100 days from now. So we really need to get going,” he was quoted as saying by Dayak Daily.

The Sarawak deputy premier said the 13th state election would be a crucial milestone that would shape the state’s development trajectory towards 2030.

“This election will determine whether Sarawak will continue growing as it heads for 2030. Are we already mature, or will we still be growing?” he said.

He added that achieving a mature and self-reliant economy after 2030 would strengthen Sarawak’s position and prevent it from being sidelined.

Dr Sim also said Sarawak was entering the “final stage of nation-building”, with the state government focusing on securing greater autonomy in healthcare and education, as well as the full implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

According to him, GPS requires a stronger mandate from Sarawakians to pursue these objectives.

His remarks come amid growing speculation that the state election could be held this year. Previously, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the polls were highly likely to take place before the end of 2026.

Karim, who is also a state minister, has expressed support for holding the next general election concurrently with the Sarawak state election.

In the 2021 Sarawak election, GPS secured a landslide victory by winning 76 of the 82 seats contested. Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) won four seats, while DAP captured two.