2023 Jepak by-election explained

Election Name:2023 Jepak by-election
Country:Sarawak
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2021 Sarawak state election
Previous Year:2021
Next Year:Next
Seats For Election:N67 Jepak seat in the
Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
Election Date:4 November 2023
Candidate1:Iskandar Turkee
Party1:PBB
Alliance1:GPS
Color1:FF6666
Popular Vote1:9,638
Percentage1:88.24%
Candidate2:Stevenson Joseph Sumbang
Color2:F5B105
Party2:PBK
Popular Vote2:854
Percentage2:7.82%
Candidate3:Chieng Lea Ping
Color3:EBAEEB
Party3:ASPIRASI
Popular Vote3:431
Percentage3:3.95%
Jepak assemblyman
Before Election:Talib Zulpilip (died)
Before Party:Gabungan Parti Sarawak (PBB)
After Election:Iskandar Turkee
After Party:Gabungan Parti Sarawak (PBB)

The 2023 Jepak by-election was a by-election that was held on 4 November 2023 for the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly seat of Jepak.[1] [2] It was called following the death of its incumbent, Talib Zulpilip from kidney complications on 15 September 2023.[3]

The by-election was the latest in Sarawak after the 2017 Tanjong Datu by-election.

Background

Jepak is a state constituency in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, and one of the four constituencies in the federal constituency of Bintulu. As of 15 September 2023, Supplementary Electoral Roll used by Election Commission (EC) for this by-election, Jepak has 22,804 eligible registered voters, including 43 voters from the police force.[4] The significant increase of voters from 14,643 during the 2021 state election to 22,804 is due to the previous election has not implemented the UNDI18.

Talib was a member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, representing Jepak for six terms since winning the seat in 1996. He was a member of the supreme council appointed by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which is a component party of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the current ruling party of Sarawak. He is also the chairman of PBB's Jepak branch.[5] In the Sarawak cabinet, he has held the position of Junior Minister of Tourism and Heritage, and Minister in the Premier Office (Integrity and Ombudsman).[6] Talib's poor health condition previously raised concerns among his party members in his branch, who urged him to step down and give way to younger candidates before the 2021 Sarawak state election.[7] [8] However he was retained as candidate by GPS-PBB in the election, successfully defending his seat in a 4-corner contest by 4,243 votes majority over his nearest rival. On 15 September 2023, Talib died of kidney complications at Normah Medical Specialist Centre in Kuching, leaving his constituency vacated at the next day.

Nomination and campaign

On 18 October 2023, GPS through Premier and its Chairman Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg, announced Iskandar Turkee, former state chairman of National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA) as the candidate representing the coalition in the by-election.[9] A loccal candidate from Kampung Sebiew who previously was not a member of any component party in GPS including PBB, Iskandar was chosen by consensus within PBB and support from other GPS parties.[10] [11] [12]

Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak (SEDAR) president, Othman Abdillah has said on 20 September that the party may consider fielding a candidate in the by-election,[13] but later on 23 September clarified his statement, and proposing a unified opposition to face GPS.[14]

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) announced on 25 September that they will not enter as a sign of solidarity to GPS, who are one of the partners in the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional led federal government.[15] Although urged to compete in the election by fellow PH component party Democratic Action Party (DAP), who is in opposition in Sarawak Assembly,[16] PKR stood on its decision.[17]

On 28 September, Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI) announced through its president that the party will contest the by-election.[18] The party later confirmed the statement and fills Chieng Lea Ping, a businessman by trade, as their candidate on 17 October.[19]

Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) also confirmed its intention to contest in this by-election, having pick Stevenson Joseph Sumbang as its candidate.[20] The party was the first among all the contesting parties to announce its candidate, on 5 October. A former Royal Malaysian Police personnel, Stevenson will contest in Jepak for the second time, having lost to Talib in the 2021 state election while garnering only 587 votes.[21]

Candidates nomination day was announced by Election Commission (EC) to be on 21 October 2023.[2] On the nomination day, it was confirmed that there will be a 3-corner fight between Iskandar (GPS-PBB), Chieng (ASPIRASI) and Stevenson (PBK) after nominations closed.[22]

Timeline

DateEvent
25 September 2023Issue of the Writ of Election
21 October 2023Nomination Day
21 October 2023 – 3 November 2023Campaigning Period
31 October 2023Early Polling Day For Postal and Advance Voters
4 November 2023Polling Day

Aftermath

Iskandar, the winner of the by-election, were sworn in as the new MLA for Jepak on 20 November at the start of the Sarawak State Assembly sitting.[23] He subsequently joined PBB, and was appointed its chairman for Jepak branch on 4 May 2024, filling in the vacancy left by the late Talib.[24]

Notes and References

  1. News: Deputy DUN Speaker: EC to be notified of vacant Jepak state seat for by-election. Nur Shazreena. Ali. 15 September 2023. 16 September 2023. The Borneo Post.
  2. Web site: . Jepak state by-election on Nov 4: EC . www.thesundaily.my . 28 September 2023 . en-MY . 25 September 2023.
  3. News: Talib Zulpilip passes away at 72. 15 September 2023. 15 September 2023. The Borneo Post.
  4. Web site: . Jepak by-election falls on Nov 4 . The Star . 30 September 2023 . en . 25 September 2023.
  5. Web site: YUSSOP . YUNUS . Talib Zulpilip remains PBB Jepak chairman, Pengiran Daud replaces Saidi as deputy chairman . Borneo Post Online . 30 September 2023 . 31 March 2022.
  6. Web site: . Talib Zulpilip pemimpin berintegriti tinggi, sentiasa perangi rasuah - Abang Johari . www.astroawani.com . 30 September 2023 . 16 September 2023.
  7. Web site: YUSSOP . YUNUS . PBB Jepak: Time for Talib to give way . Borneo Post Online . 30 September 2023 . 22 November 2021.
  8. Web site: YUSSOP . YUNUS . PBB Jepak deputy chief in about turn after initially backing Talib to be retained . Borneo Post Online . 30 September 2023 . 8 November 2021.
  9. Web site: Iskandar Turkee calon GPS PRK Jepak. Berita Harian. ms. 4 November 2023 . 18 October 2023.
  10. Web site: Ling . Sharon . Jepak by-election: Iskandar Turkee named as GPS candidate . The Star . 19 November 2023 . en . 18 October 2023.
  11. Web site: . PBB Women chief backs Iskandar Turkee as GPS candidate for Jepak by-election. 19 November 2023.
  12. Web site: Yussop . Yunus . Former PBB Jepak deputy chairman says no split in party, members to ensure bigger majority for Iskandar Turkee . Borneo Post Online . 19 November 2023 . 19 October 2023.
  13. Web site: TEN . MARILYN . Jepak by-election: Sedar may field candidate, says party president . Borneo Post Online . 22 September 2023 . 20 September 2023.
  14. Web site: Edward . Churchill . Sedar proposes opposition pact for Jepak by-election to face GPS . Borneo Post Online . 28 September 2023 . 23 September 2023.
  15. Web site: Cheng . Lian . PKR Sarawak to sit out Jepak by-election for sake of maintaining unity govt . DayakDaily . 28 September 2023 . 26 September 2023.
  16. Web site: ALI . NUR SHAZREENA . Jepak by-election: DAP man tells PKR to field candidate, challenge GPS . Borneo Post Online . 30 September 2023 . 28 September 2023.
  17. Web site: Ahmad . Shafik . PRK Jepak: PKR Sarawak tidak bertanding . www.astroawani.com . 30 September 2023 . MS . 30 September 2023.
  18. Web site: Aspirasi to contest in Jepak by-election . DayakDaily . 28 September 2023 . 28 September 2023.
  19. Web site: Wong . Philip . Aspirasi names businessman as its candidate for Jepak . Borneo Post Online . 19 November 2023 . 17 October 2023.
  20. Web site: Yussop . Yunus . PBK names Stevenson Joseph Sumbang as its Jepak by-election candidate . Borneo Post Online . 19 November 2023 . 5 October 2023.
  21. Web site: Tawie . Sulok . Sarawak opposition selects former cop as candidate for Jepak by-election set for November 4 . Malay Mail . 19 November 2023 . en . 5 October 2023.
  22. Web site: Chua . Andy . Jepak polls: Three-way fight for Sarawak state seat . The Star . 19 November 2023 . en . 21 October 2023.
  23. Web site: Borneo Post Online . Iskandar Turkee sworn in as Jepak assemblyman . Malay Mail . 10 June 2024 . en . 20 November 2023.
  24. Web site: Meraw . Marlynda . Iskandar Turkee appointed PBB Jepak branch chief . DayakDaily . 10 June 2024 . 4 May 2024.