There were a total of 118 candidates vying for the seats, which was the lowest since 1979 election.

[3] This snap election was called by Taib due to heightening of Ming court affair political crisis when Abdul Rahman Ya'kub together with 27 other state assemblymen signed a letter to call for Taib's resignation.

Abdul Rahman formed a new political party named Persatuan Rakyat Malaysia Sarawak (PERMAS) just before the election.

Together with Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Abdul Rahman would form an opposition alliance to challenge Taib at the polls.

Sarawak BN, composed of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), and Sarawak National Party (SNAP), won 28 out of 48 seats on the election day, thus able to form a government with a simple majority.