BINTULU: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has retained the Jepak state seat with nearly double the majority it received in the last state election in 2021.The Election Commission (EC) announced that GPS candidate Iskandar Turkee garnered 9,638 votes, giving him a winning majority of 8,784 yesterday.
In contrast, his predecessor, the late Datuk Talib Zulpilip had won Jepak by a 4,243-vote majority in 2021.
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According to the EC, the other two candidates, Stevenson Joseph Sumbang of Parti Bumi Kenyalang and Chieng Lea Phing of the Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party received 854 and 431 votes respectively yesterday. The official turnout out rate was 48.57%, out of a total of 22,804 eligible voters.The by-election was called after Talib passed away on Sept 15.
Iskandar, 54, pledged to fulfil the duty entrusted to him by voters. He described polling day as his final test after a tight schedule during the campaign period.
Winning moment: (From left) Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Iskandar and Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg celebrating their victory in the Jepak by-election. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
“It’s like facing an interview panel of about 22,000 people and this is my final interview,” he said.Iskandar, who is contesting his first election, also said it was a new experience to cast his ballot as a candidate.
“In past elections, I was just a voter whereas today I’m a candidate. So it felt very different,” said the former Sarawak Anti-Drug Agency director.
Meanwhile, EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said polling proceeded smoothly with no untoward incidents.
“We have not received any report so far, which shows that voters in Jepak are doing their duty in a proper and peaceful manner,” he said.
