2011 Sarawak state election

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The 2011 Sarawak state election was held on Saturday, 16 April 2011, to choose all 71 members of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. The previous assembly had been dissolved on 21 March 2011 on the advice of Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. About 70% of eligible voters turned out.

Barisan Nasional (BN) won the election, keeping a two-thirds majority in the assembly. They secured 55 seats, enough to continue control of the state government. The opposition Pakatan Rakyat made gains but did not win enough seats to deny BN its two-thirds majority. The Democratic Action Party (DAP) emerged as the largest opposition party with the most seats on the opposition bench. Other opposition groups, including PKR, did not perform as strongly. Parti Cinta Malaysia also contested and won one seat, while SNAP and PAS did not win any seats.

Abdul Taib Mahmud remained Chief Minister after the vote, beginning his eighth term. Wong Ho Leng of DAP continued as the main opposition leader. The election was notable for the high profile debate over Taib’s long tenure and issues surrounding government contracts and governance.

In the aftermath, Taib would step down as Chief Minister in 2014, with Adenan Satem succeeding him. A by-election in 2014 for the Balingian seat was won by a BN candidate.