The third Sarawak state election was held from 15 September 1979 to 22 September 1979. It is the first time that Sarawak held state election separately from the 1978 Malaysian general election. This is also the first time that the election rallies were banned in Sarawak. However, candidates and political parties were free to hold talks and house to house canvassing for votes.
Results Sarawak Barisan Nasional won 45 out of 48 seats in the Council Negri (now Sarawak State Legislative Assembly) and 61.2% of the popular vote. A total of 44 seats were contested in this election. The remaining four seats were won uncontested by Barisan Nasional. A total of 41 candidates lost their election deposits as they failed to take one-eighth of the total votes cast for all the candidates in their constituencies. A total of four election petitions were filed in Sarawak high court. Of these election petitions, one was subsequently withdrawn while the remaining petitions were adjourned in the year 1980.
Seats won uncontested by Barisan Nasional were: N18 - Batang Air N20 - Layar N31 - Balingian N34 - Meluan
Registered voter count refers to total electorate of the contested constituencies. EC did not disclose total elector count for the four uncontested constituencies
Elected members The full list of representatives is shown below: No. State Constituency Member PartyBN 45 | IND 3 N01 Lundu Chong Kim Mook BN (SUPP) N02 Tasik Biru Patrick Uren IND N03 Padungan Tan Meng Chong IND N04 Stampin Sim Kheng Hong BN (SUPP) N05 Petra Jaya Hafsah Harun BN (PBB) N06 Satok Abang Abu Bakar Abang Mustapha BN (PBB) N07 Sebandi Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauzi BN (PBB) N08 Muara Tuang Adenan Satem BN (PBB) N09 Batu Kawah Chong Kiun Kong BN (SUPP) N10 Bengoh Stephen Yong Kuet Tze BN (SUPP) N11 Tarat Robert Jacob Ridu BN (PBB) N12 Tebakang Michael Ben Panggi BN (SNAP) N13 Semera Abang Ahmad Urai Abang Mohideen BN (PBB) N14 Gedong Mohammad Tawan Abdullah @ Hilary Tawan Masan BN (PBB) N15 Lingga Daniel Tajem Miri BN (SNAP) N16 Sri Aman Hollis Tini BN (SUPP) N17 Engkilili Nading Lingeh BN (SNAP) N18 Batang Ai David Jemut BN (SNAP) N19 Saribas Zainuddin Satem BN (PBB) N20 Layar Alfred Jabu Numpang BN (PBB) N21 Kalaka Wan Yusof Tuanku Bujang BN (PBB) N22 Krian Dunstan Endawie Enchana BN (SNAP) N23 Kuala Rajang Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar BN (PBB) N24 Matu-Daro Abdul Rahman Ya'kub BN (PBB) N25 Repok Law Hieng Ding BN (SUPP) N26 Meradong Thomas Hii King Hiong BN (SUPP) N27 Maling Wong Soon Kai BN (SUPP) N28 Seduan Ting Ing Mieng BN (SUPP) N29 Igan David Tiong Chiong Chu BN (SUPP) N30 Dudong Sandah Jarrow BN (SNAP) N31 Balingian Wan Habib Syed Mahmud BN (PBB) N32 Oya Edwin Esnen Unang BN (PBB) N33 Pakan Jawie Wilson Masing BN (SNAP) N34 Meluan Gramong Jelian BN (SNAP) N35 Machan Gramong Juna BN (SNAP) N36 Ngemah Joseph Kudi BN (SNAP) N37 Katibas Ambrose Blikau Enturan BN (PBB) N38 Pelagus Jonathan Sabai Ajing BN (SNAP) N39 Baleh Peter Gani Kiai BN (SNAP) N40 Belaga Tajang Laing IND N41 Tatau Joseph Mamat Samuel BN (SNAP) N42 Kemena Celestine Ujang Jilan BN (PBB) N43 Subis Mumin Kader BN (PBB) N44 Miri Chia Chin Shin BN (SUPP) N45 Marudi Edward Jeli Belayong BN (SNAP) N46 Telang Usan Joseph Balan Seling BN (SNAP) N47 Limbang James Wong Kim Min BN (SNAP) N48 Lawas Noor Tahir BN (PBB)
Aftermath This was the final election of Abdul Rahman as Chief Minister and leader of PBB; he would resign of both positions as well as his federal and state seats in 1981 to accept the position of Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak. His nephew and vice-president of PBB, Abdul Taib Mahmud would replace him as Chief Minister and party's president.
See also Elections in Sarawak List of Malaysian State Assembly Representatives (1978–1982)
References