SIBU: The voter turnout during the Jepak by-election requires analysis, particularly concerning young voters.
Speaking to the New Sarawak Tribune at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sibu Special Convention today (Nov 5), PBB Women chief Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah expressed concerns about the low voter turnout during the by-election, adding that the issue was one of the matters raised before polling day.
“Yes, that’s where our concern lies. Typically, in by-elections, the voter turnout is lower compared to general or state elections,” she said when met by New Sarawak Tribune at the PBB Special Convention for Sibu Zone here today (Nov 5).
The Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) suggested that part of the low turnout might be due to a common perception that by-elections do not significantly impact government formation since the government is already established.
“So, this is the challenge we face, to convince our citizens and voters that every election, whether it’s a by-election, state election, or general election, is crucial and has implications,” she said.
Fatimah pointed out that young voters’ absenteeism could be due to their inability to return to vote because of other commitments.
“They (young voters) are out of the area because they are studying at higher education institutions and it’s difficult for them to return.
“These are the factors that need to be examined, especially for the youth or 18-year-old voters who are voting for the first time.
“They might be attending classes and unable to return, or they could be working and unable to come back. These are things we need to look into,” she said.
Regarding the substantial victory of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the Jepak by-election, Fatimah expressed delight with the win achieved by PBB.
“During the campaign process, I also observed how the GPS worked together to ensure a big win in the election.
“This is a culture that we will continue and must continue, not only during this by-election but also in the upcoming elections,” she said.
In the Jepak by-election, GPS candidate Iskandar Turkee obtained 9,638 votes and defeated his two challengers, Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s (PBK) Stevenson Joseph Sumbang, who garnered 854 votes; and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak’s (Aspirasi) Chieng Lea Phing, who secured 431 votes.
Iskandar won with a majority of 8,784 votes, which is more than double that of the 4,243 votes garnered in the previous state election.
