Jepak by-election: Police issue 128 permits for 'ceramah'

KUCHING - A total of 128 police permits for ceramah or political talks were issued to parties contesting in the Jepak state by-election as of yesterday.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri said, at the same time, police only received five reports pertaining to the by-election during its campaign period.

"The reports were just about minor incidents like loss of flags, there have been no serious cases throughout the campaign period,” he told a press conference at the State Police Headquarters (IPK) today.

Mohd Azman said that for tomorrow's polling, a total of 624 police personnel will be stationed at 14 polling centres, while 595 personnel will be mobilised for the vote-counting process.

The Jepak state by-election is seeing a three-cornered fight between Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Iskandar Turkee, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) candidate Stevenson Joseph Sumbang, and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) candidate Chieng Lea Phing.

The by-election for the state seat is being called following the death of its incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip on Sept 15.

Jepak has 22,804 voters, consisting of 22,761 regular voters and 43 police personnel. - BERNAMA