BINTULU: The landslide victory for newly-elected Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee in yesterday’s by-election (Nov 4), reflects the people’s confidence in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice president Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi said this was clear from the 8,784 majority votes that doubled compared to the 4,262 majority obtained by the late Datuk Talib Zulpilip in the last state election.
“This is a clear endorsement by the people of Bintulu, not only in Jepak, for the GPS’ policies and leadership as mentioned in our manifesto.
“What is more important is that we won all of the polling stations and both opposition candidates lost their deposits,” he said.
Rundi, who is the Kemena assemblyman, congratulated Iskandar for his maiden win in the Jepak by-election and that he (Iskandar) has pledged to serve his constituents to the best of his ability.
He expressed his gratitude to all of the Jepak voters for giving a big victory to the GPS candidate, despite the low voter turnout of 48.7 per cent.
The Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development also thanked the party machinery and the GPS component parties for working together to ensure a big victory.
Iskandar successfully retained Jepak for the ruling coalition government in the by-election with a majority of 8,784 in a three-cornered fight.
The 54-year-old garnered a total of 9,638 votes and defeated Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) candidate Stevenson Joseph Sumbang and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI) Chieng Lea Phing, who polled 854 and 431 votes respectively.
