GABUNGAN Parti Sarawak election director Awang Tengah Ali Hasan today reminded Jepak constituents to vote in the by-election.

He said voters must ignore calls from certain quarters who said there was no point voting as GPS would win anyway.

The Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president said these were attempts to mislead voters.

“(A message) has gone viral (claiming) GPS will win even if voters don’t vote.

“But if all GPS supporters don’t vote, how are we to win?” he said to reporters while campaigning in Kampung Hilir Kuala Tatau today.

The Jepak by-election was called after its six-term assemblyman Talib Zulpilip of GPS died on September 15.

The by-election is a three-cornered fight between GPS candidate Iskandar Turkee, Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s Stevenson Joseph Sumbang and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak’s Chieng Lea Phing.

GPS comprises PBB, Sarawak United People’s Party, Parti Rakyat Sarawak and Progressive Democratic Party.

Awang Tengah, who is also Sarawak deputy premier, criticised those trying to organise bets on the by-election outcome.

He said such activities were against the system of democracy and could undermine GPS’ efforts to win. – Bernama, October 31, 2023.