BINTULU, Oct 24 — Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Jepak by-election candidate Iskandar Turkee’s father has given him sage advice for the campaign trail.

“My advice to my son Iskandar, be cool, be humble, and be yourself,” said Turkee Hamzah.

“I know my first son is a down-to-earth person, so just stay that way.”

The 75-year-old said because Iskandar has served in the civil service for 15 years, many of which were not in Bintulu, locals may need some time to get to know him.

Turkee called on Jepak voters to give Iskandar the chance to serve them.

“We have high hopes for Iskandar, not just to win the Jepak by-election but for him to win with a bigger majority than the last state election,” he said.

Turkee added his wife Hamdiah Abdullah is an Iban from Sri Aman and they have many relatives in Sungai Semebak and Sungai Gelam, Sebauh.

According to him, the full support of constituents for local candidate Iskandar would enable the legacy of the incumbent, the late Datuk Talib Zulpilip, to be continued.

Meanwhile, State Legislative Assembly Speaker and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) permanent chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar said GPS is overwhelmingly strong in Jepak.

He said this was due to the weak political influence of opposition parties in Sarawak now.

“Our hope for Iskandar is to garner more majority votes than the previous state election in 2021, that is our ultimate target, big majority,” said Asfia.

According to Asfia, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg made the right choice based on Iskandar’s personality, his extensive experience as a mature leader in civil service, and being a local from Kampung Sebiew.

Iskandar, 54, who is former Sarawak director of the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), is contesting against Chieng Lea Phing from the Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) and Stevenson Joseph Sumbang of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK).

The Election Commission has set October 31 for early voting and November 4 as polling day for the Jepak by-election.

The seat fell vacant when Talib, who represented the constituency for six terms, passed away last month. — Borneo Post Online