BINTULU: National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sarawak former director Iskandar Turkee from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has been named as the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for the Jepak by-election.
Premier and PBB president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced at the Margherita Plaza Hotel here today.
Meanwhile, the by-election for Jepak constituency needed to be held following the death of its assemblyman, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, 72, on Sept 15.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Oct 21 for nomination day and Nov 4 for polling.
The late Talib, who was formerly also 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 significant 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 this time around.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), on the other hand, has announced that Joseph Sumbang would be renominated to contest the seat, and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) has announced Bintulu businessman, Chieng Lea Phing as its candidate.
