KUCHING: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has announced Stevenson Joseph Sumbang as its candidate for the Jepak by-election, which is set for Nov 4.
PBK president Voon Lee Shan said the 42-year-old businessman had previously contested in the seat during the 12th Sarawak election in 2021, but lost to Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“We are aware that Jepak is considered as a GPS stronghold, but that does not mean we are giving up.
“We have decided to contest (in the by-election) despite knowing it is a big challenge. Thus, we hope the voters will give us a chance,” he said during a press conference here on today (Oct 5).
Voon claimed that there was no opposition in Sarawak, following the establishment of the unity government at the federal level, which included GPS and Pakatan Harapan.
Thus, he said, PBK had the responsibility to become the voice of those who were against the ideology of the GPS government and the federal unity government.
Steveson, who is also a former police officer, said he has been actively engaging with the local community, listening to the problems of the people in Jepak despite not winning the seat in 2021.
“I am always on the ground and continue to visit the longhouses and rural folk as well as offering assistance.
“I know it is tough for me to win but I am ready to go all out to fight for the seat,” he added.
Among the three issues in Jepak that need to be addressed promptly, he said, included statelessness, dilapidated schools as well as Native Customary Rights (NCR) land.
According to him, some of the longhouse folk do not have identity cards, thus have problems looking for work while some schools need to be upgraded as well as to have stable power supply.
During the press conference, Voon also handed over the watikah (appointment letter of candidate) for the Jepak by-election to Stevenson.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Nov 4 as polling day while Oct 21 is the nomination day and Oct 31 for early voting.
The seat fell vacant after its assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip died from kidney complications on Sept 15 after being admitted to the Normah Medical Centre in Kuching.
Talib, a former minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman), was 72.
During the 12th Sarawak election, which concluded on Dec 18 in 2021, Talib retained Jepak for the sixth term after he obtained a majority of 4,248 votes in a four-cornered contest.
