By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Oct 5: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) today revealed Stevenson Joseph Sumbang as their candidate for the coming N67 Jepak by-election.
The 42-year-old businessman from Sibu vowed that if given the people’s mandate, he will fight for Sarawak education, land matters involving Native Customary Rights (NCR) land such as Pulau Galau and Pemakai Menua, and citizenship issues.
Asked if he is confident about winning the election, Stevenson said he will try his best and has been preparing since the Sarawak State Election (PRN12) in 2021.
“I have been to the ground and to longhouses during wake ceremonies including extending assistance to the locals in various matters,” he added.
Stevenson is a committee member of PBK Bintulu. This will be his second time contesting for N67 Jepak constituency seat after his first time in PRN12 where he received a total of 587 votes.
Meanwhile, PBK president Voon Lee Shan said although PBK is friendly with other political parties in the State, it doesn’t mean that it will not contest in the coming by-election.
He pointed out this is because PBK has its own mission.
“As you know, it seems that there is no more opposition in Sarawak because the unity government has absorbed all the political parties in Sarawak as part of it, only leaving the few of us.
“The dominant one leading the opposition is PBK, and we have a responsibility or obligation to fight in this by-election to represent voices of the opposition,” he said.
The Jepak seat was vacated following the death of its incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip at Normah Medical Specialist Centre on Sept 15.
The polling date for the Jepak by-election is Nov 4, with nomination day on Oct 21. Early voting will be held on Oct 31. — DayakDaily
