By Lian Cheng
BINTULU, Oct 19: It will be a walkover for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in Jepak by-election, opines political scientist Prof Dr Jayum Jawan of Universiti Putra Malaysia, citing the impressive electoral records of GPS’ backbone party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
“PBB is the most stable political party since its formation and merger with Pesaka. The Bumiputera side of PBB has displayed high discipline, and has been able to manage its members including the Malays and Melanau well.
“Electoral records are also impressive. I can’t recall any area or its candidate having been defeated,” Jayum told DayakDaily.
He said Jepak is a safe seat like many other seats with Malay and Melanau majorities.
“So whoever was selected as candidate really has their lucky star to thank as he or she is expected to sail through and join the Sarawak Legislative Assembly at its next seating,” said Jayum, adding GPS chairman and PBB president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s leadership was one of the factors that contributed to PBB’s stability.
“Abang Johari’s leadership is also firming up since he took over from Tok Nan (former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem). There isn’t any challenge on the horizon, and therefore there is no reason for the Malays and the Melanau to show discontent by giving votes to PBB’s opponent,” said Jayum.
Apart from GPS, two other Sarawak-based political parties have confirmed their participation in the by-election.
Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) has named Bintulu businessman Chieng Lea Phing, 64, as its candidate, while Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has re-nominated 42-year-old businessman Stevenson Joseph Sumbang from Sibu to contest the seat.
Notably, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Pakatan Harapan (PH), and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) have all declared that they will be sitting out this by-election.
The Jepak seat was vacated due to the passing Datuk Talib Zulpilip who passed away on Sept 15, 2023 at the age of 72 due to health complications. He had held the seat for six terms since 1996.
In the 2021 Sarawak Election, Talib retained the Jepak seat by securing 6,277 votes, against PSB’s Rabaáh Tudin (2,034 votes), PBK’s Stevenson (587 votes) and independent candidate Tuah Kazan (141 votes).
The Election Commission has fixed Oct 21 as the Nomination Day, with polling day set for Nov 4. According to the updated electoral roll, Jepak has a total of 22,804 registered voters.
Of the total voters, 54 per cent are Malays/Melanau, followed by Iban voters who make up 35 per cent, the Chinese with six per cent, and the remaining five per cent comprising Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and others. — DayakDaily
