BINTULU: National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sarawak former director Iskandar Turkee, 54, is Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) candidate for the Jepak by-election.
GPS chairman and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Iskandar was chosen by consensus within Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), with support from the state coalition’s other component parties.
Abang Johari, who is PBB president, said Iskandar is the right person to continue the work by the late Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip.
“PBB has many potential candidates but we looked for a person who could carry on what Talib had been doing.
“We have chosen the candidate and after the screening from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Insolvency Department, we have received a good record from our candidate.
“And today, I announce Iskandar Turkee, from PBB who will represent GPS at the by-election.
“He is the AADK Sarawak director and effective today, he resigns from his position.
“Iskandar, who was born in Bintulu, is capable to continuing Talib’s work together with the people of Jepak,” he said.
Abang Johari also called for a solid support for the new candidate to win in the by-election.
“Late Talib ever said to me, that he wants Jepak, Bintulu to be like Petra Jaya in Kuching, and we will continue to develop Jepak by upgrading the villages and turn it like our Darul Hana, Petra Jaya.”
The by-election for Jepak constituency is necessitated by the death of Talib, 72, on Sept 15.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Oct 21 for nomination day while polling will be on Nov 4.
The late Talib, who was formerly a Minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman), had served as Jepak assemblyman for six terms since 1996.
In the 12th Sarawak state election in 2021, he successfully defended the seat with a majority of 4,243 votes. He secured 6,277 votes against his opponents Raba’ah Tudin of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Stevenson Joseph Sumbang (Parti Bumi Kenyalang or PBK), and independent Tuan Kazan.
Thus far, both Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Democratic Action Party (DAP), which are part of the Madani Unity Government, have announced their decision to not contest in the by-election.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), on the other hand, has announced that Joseph Sumbang would be re-nominated to contest the seat, and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI) has announced Bintulu businessman, Chieng Lea Phing as its candidate.
