KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is well prepared for the upcoming Jepak state by-election on Nov 4.
Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, however, has yet to reveal the coalition’s candidate.
“Kita sedia lah (We get ready). And on nomination day, we will send our candidate and then we (the residents in Jepak) will cast our votes,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after officiating at the first International Conference on Biotechnology, Smart Farming, and Entrepreneurship for Food Security (BioSFE) 2023 at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today.
The Premier was asked for comments on the Election Commission’s (EC) announcement of Nov 4 as the polling day and Oct 21 as the nomination day.
When pressed for information on GPS’ potential candidate, Abang Johari, who is the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, remained tight-lipped.
“Wait first, you will know later ….”
Earlier, on Sept 21, Abang Johari said GPS would field a candidate from PBB in the by-election.
The Jepak seat became vacant on Sept 15 following the death of its assemblyman, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who passed away at the age of 72.
The late Talib is a former minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) and has served as Jepak assemblyman for six terms since 1996.
In the 12th Sarawak state election in 2021, he won with a significant majority of 4,243 votes, garnering 6,277 votes against his opponents Raba’ah Tudin of PSB, Stevenson Joseph Sumbang (PBK), and independent Tuan Kazan.
