BINTULU: It was a new experience for Iskandar Turkee of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to cast his ballot as a candidate for the Jepak by-election on Saturday (Nov 4).
"In previous elections I was just a voter whereas today I'm a candidate, so it felt very different,"
Iskandar, 52, arrived at the SK Bintulu polling station here with his wife Dayang Loha Awang Sahari at 8.30am.
He called on voters, especially youths, to turn out in large numbers.
"We want to see young people fulfil their responsibility as voters and participate in the democratic process," he said.
After a tight schedule during the campaign period, Iskandar said he was now facing his final test.
"It's like facing an interview panel of about 22,000 people and this is my final interview. If I am elected, I will fulfil the duty entrusted to me by the voters of Jepak," he said.
Polling opened at 7.30am on Saturday and will close at 5.30pm.
Iskandar is facing Stevenson Joseph Sumbang (Parti Bumi Kenyalang) and Chieng Lea Phing (Sarawak People's Aspiration Party) in a three-cornered contest.
The Jepak seat has 22,804 voters and fell vacant when assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip from GPS passed away on Sept 15.
