KUCHING: A big win despite a low turnout during the Jepak by-election on Saturday is a ringing endorsement of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
Analyst Dr Lee Kuok Tiung sees it as clear proof that GPS is the preferred choice of voters.
Fellow pundit Professor Dr Azmi Hassan who agreed with this assessment added that it also demonstrated overwhelming support for the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Dr Lee said the low turnout could be due to the foregone conclusion that GPS candidate Iskandar Turkee would surely win.
“Outstation voters were probably also reluctant to come back to vote since it was not a holiday but it is quite obvious that GPS is the voters’ favourite,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune on today.
The by-election saw GPS retain the seat by securing 9,638 votes while the opposition Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) garnered 854 votes and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI) only managed to woo 431 votes.
Dr Lee said with the outcome, PBK and ASPIRASI had lost their deposits as they failed to obtained 12.5 per cent of the total number of votes counted.
“It reminds us of the call to them earlier to not contest,” he said, adding though the PBK candidate performed better this time it was not enough to save his deposit.
Dr Azmi meanwhile said the majority votes won by Iskandar indicates the people’s confidence in the direction of the GPS government.
“The clear message to be read through this victory is strong support among the people of Jepak itself for the leadership of Abang Johari.
“We can see that the support from the people of Jepak is very strong for GPS, in addition to their confidence in the existing government administration.
“Thus, the government needs to take full advantage of the mandate that has been given to move forward in making better policies for the sake of the people.
“Not only for the people of Jepak, but for the people of Sarawak as a whole so that everyone receives the benefits,” he said.
In that regard, he said that the victory this time was amazing because even though he was expected to win, the turnout was low.
“This means, it is clear that GPS supporters in Jepak are very supportive that they are able to win comfortably leaving the other opposition parties behind,” he said.
