BINTULU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg arrived at the nomination centre in Bintulu Civic Centre at 8am yesterday to show support to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Iskandar Turkee, who is contesting in the Jepak by-election.
Earlier, Abang Johari, who is GPS chairman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, accompanied the candidate and marched together from Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institutes (SFWI) to the nomination centre.
Over 1,000 supporters comprising GPS leaders and coalition parties’ members dressed in the GPS white corporate shirts and t-shirts; some holding the GPS flags, marched together to the centre, located about 1-km away; in support of Iskandar.
Among those present were PBB deputy presidents Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; PBB senior vice president Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Hui Kian, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum.
The Jepak state seat fell vacant following Datuk Talip Zulpilip’s death on September 15 of kidney complications.
The late Talib, who was from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), had held the Jepak seat for six terms.
The Election Commission has set Nov 4 as the polling day. The constituency has 22,804 voters, including 22,761 ordinary voters and 43 police personnel.
