KUCHING: Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee took his oath of office at the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
The swearing-in ceremony was held before Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and assemblymen.
After the swearing-in, Asfia offered condolences to the family of the late Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who passed away on Sept 15.
“Let us all pray that he is placed among the believers. For those who are Muslim, let us together recite Al-Fatihah, and for the non-Muslim, please observe a minute of silence,” he said in his speech before the start of the DUN session.
Earlier, Asfia also congratulated the former anti-drugs agency director for his victory in the Jepak by-election on Nov 4, securing a majority of 8,784 votes.
Iskandar polled 9,638 votes while his rivals, Stevenson Joseph Sumbang of Parti Bumi Kenyalang received 854 votes and Chieng Lea Phing of Parti Aspirasi Sarawak received 431 votes.
The by-election was held following the death Talib, a six-term assemblyman who was also the former minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman).
In the 2021 state elections, Talib polled 6,277 votes for a majority of 4,243 votes over his rivals Raba’ah Tudin of Parti Sarawak Bersatu, Stevenson, and independent candidate Tuah Kazan.
