Jepak by-election: Iskandar Turkee named as GPS candidate

KUCHING: Sarawak National Anti-Drug Agency director (AADK) Iskandar Turkee is Gabungan Parti Sarawak's (GPS) candidate for the Jepak by-election.

GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Iskandar was chosen by consensus within Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), with support from the state coalition's other component parties.

He said Iskandar, 54, was the right person to continue the work by the late Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip.

"PBB has many potential candidates but we looked for a person who could carry on what Talib had been doing.

"Iskandar, who was born in Bintulu, is capable to continuing Talib's work together with the people of Jepak," he said when announcing the candidate in Bintulu on Wednesday (Oct 18).

Abang Johari said Iskandar received good reports from screening by police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Insolvency Department prior to his selection.

He also said Iskandar would resign from his post as state AADK director effective Wednesday (Oct 18).

The Jepak seat in Bintulu fell vacant when Talib passed away on Sept 15. Nomination for the by-election takes place on Saturday (Oct 21) and polling is on Nov 4.

Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak Premier, said the state government would continue with plans to develop the Jepak Jaya area in Bintulu, which had been proposed by Talib.

"This will include upgrading villages and making the area more structured, similar to Petra Jaya in Kuching," he said.

He called on voters to give GPS a big win in the by-election to ensure that GPS remained strong.