Perikatan not contesting Jepak by-election, to focus on Kemaman

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional will not be contesting the Jepak state by-election in Sarawak on Nov 4, says Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.

"Perikatan will be fully focused on retaining the Kemaman parliamentary seat in Terengganu on Dec 2.

"Perikatan component parties are also busy holding their annual general assemblies at division and national levels," said the Bersatu secretary-general in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 18).

The Jepak state seat, located within the Bintulu parliamentary constituency in Sarawak, became vacant following the death of its incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip, 72, on Sept 15.

The Election Commission set Nov 4 as polling day for Jepak, Oct 21 for nomination day and early voting on Oct 31.

The result of the Kemaman parliamentary seat, won by PAS's Che Alias in the 15th general election, was annulled by the Kuala Terengganu election court last month after finding that the payment of i-Belia and i-Siswa aid to voters during the campaign period constituted bribery.

The EC set polling day for Kemaman on Dec 2, nomination day on Nov 18 and early voting on Nov 28.