Jepak by-election: GPS candidate wants to focus on youth development

KUCHING: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Iskandar Turkee plans to focus on youth development in the Jepak constituency in Bintulu.

He said this would not only continue the legacy of the late Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip but help to give youths a better future.

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"We will identify ways to help them and equip them with skills based on their interest as well as relevance to Sarawak's development.

"For example, Bintulu is an oil and gas hub, so that's one area we can look into," he told reporters after visiting Rumah Sait longhouse in Bintulu on Monday (Oct 23).

Iskandar said it was important to build up human capital among youths and ensure they meet the requirements of the job market.

"We should match them with skills they are interested in. As such, we will look at how we can work with state and federal training institutions for youths in Jepak to acquire skills.

"Once they have accredited qualifications, they can get better jobs and help improve their families' livelihoods," he said.

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Iskandar also pledged to listen to issues raised by the people of Jepak should he be elected.

"I will refer the issues to the relevant agencies to be resolved," he said.

Iskandar is challenged by Stevenson Joseph Sumbang from Parti Bumi Kenyalang and Chieng Lea Phing from Sarawak People's Aspiration Party in the Nov 4 by-election, which was called following Talib's death on Sept 15.

Jepak has 22,804 voters.