BINTULU: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) candidate Stevenson Joseph Sumbang has outlined the key focus of his campaign in the Jepak by-election.
The 42-year-old businessman, who is contesting for the second time in the state constituency, has emphasised the pressing issues of native customary rights (NCR) land and citizenship in the Jepak area.
“These issues have persisted for six decades with no resolution in sight.
“In fact, there are still many residents at the Jepak-Kuala Tatau coastal area who do not have an identity card and this is among the issues that will be my focus during my campaign in this by-election.
“If I am given the mandate, I will fight for these issues, especially for the people in the coastal and rural areas of Jepak,” he said when met today(Oct 22).
Stevenson also expressed his commitment to engaging directly with the voters on the ground and utilising social media platforms to connect with the people, especially those in the Jepak-Kuala Tatau coastal area.
To ensure a smooth campaign, Stevenson has established an operations room in the commercial centre near the Li-Hua Lama Hotel.
The Jepak by-election which will be held on Nov 4 will see a three-cornered contest, with Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) candidate Iskandar Turkee, PBK’s Stevenson, and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak’s (ASPIRASI) Chieng Lea Ping vying for the seat.
The by-election was called following the passing of its incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip on Sept 15 due to kidney complications.
The late Talib had represented the Jepak constituency for six consecutive terms since 1996.
