By Goh Pei Pei & Nurul Shima Shahminon
BINTULU: The upcoming Jepak state by-election on Nov 4 will see a three-cornered fight, with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Iskandar Turkee facing off against two opposition candidates.
Returning officer Abang Zainuddin Abang Turkey made this announcement at the Bintulu Civic Centre nomination center today, confirming that none of the three nomination papers were rejected.
“The candidates who will be contesting in the Jepak by-election are Iskandar Turkee from GPS; Chieng Lea Ping from Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi); and Stevenson Joseph Sumbang from Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK),” he said.
Earlier, Iskandar arrived at 8.30am, accompanied by GPS chairman and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian, as well as leaders and members from all GPS component parties.
The 54-year-old former director of the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) Sarawak is a local from the Vaie ethnic group.
Chieng, 64, a well-known local businessman arrived about 10-minute later, with his proposer Unjong Renca and seconder Panting Belaka.
Meanwhile, Stevenson was accompanied by his party president Voon Lee Shan as well as his Proposer Desmond Muli and seconder Nelson Sawing Albert Engkasan.
The 42-year-old former police personnel previously contested in Jepak during the 2021 state election, where he garnered only 587 votes. In that election, the late Datuk Talip Zulpilip from GPS secured 6,277 votes, Raba’ah Tudin of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) collected 2,034 votes, and Independent Tuah Kazan garnered 141 votes.
The Jepak state seat fell vacant following Talib’s death on September 15 of kidney complications after being admitted to a medical centre on September 14.
The late Talib, who was from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), had held the Jepak seat for six terms.
The Election Commission has set Nov 4 as the polling day. The constituency has 22,804 voters, including 22,761 ordinary voters and 43 police personnel.
