Can GPS maintain its youth vote appeal in Jepak?

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GPS is treating the Jepak by-election as a second test of its youth support after strong Undi18 results in the 15th General Election
GPS is aiming to preserve its appeal among young voters in Jepak by using the by-election as a follow-up test after the 15th General Election’s performance with the Undi18 category. PBB Supreme Council Member Datuk Abdullah Saidol said the 15th General Election was the first test for Undi18 voters after a constitutional amendment took effect on Dec 15, 2021, and that young voters backed GPS in the Bintulu parliamentary constituency. He said Jepak is among the four state constituencies under Bintulu that recorded the highest support from registered voters aged 18 to 30 in that election.
Jepak is being framed as a follow-up “platform” after Undi18’s first test
The Jepak state by-election is described as the second platform for Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to evaluate young voters’ support for the ruling coalition. Abdullah Saidol pointed to the 15th General Election as the first test for Undi18 voters following the constitutional amendment enforced on Dec 15, 2021. He said the young voters’ reaction was tested when Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the GPS candidate for Bintulu, won in a landslide with that category.
Jepak is highlighted as one of the strongest youth-support state seats under Bintulu
Abdullah said Jepak is one of four state constituencies under the Bintulu parliamentary constituency that showed the highest support from young voters aged 18 to 30 in the 15th General Election. He linked that result to GPS having confidence going into the Jepak by-election. The by-election is being held after the death of the incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who died on Sept 15.
The campaign period is being used for young registered voters to meet the candidates
Abdullah said young registered voters can use the campaign period until Nov 3 to get to know the GPS candidate, Iskandar Turkee. He urged voters to ask the new GPS candidate about his views and plans for taking care of Jepak’s young people. This messaging is positioned as part of how GPS will engage voters during the by-election run-up.
The race is set for a three-cornered fight, with youth engagement raised through candidate introductions
The Jepak by-election will feature a three-cornered contest between Iskandar Turkee for GPS, Stevenson Joseph Sumbang for Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), and Chieng Lea Phing for Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi). Abdullah specifically focused on allowing voters time to meet Iskandar, describing him as the former Director of the Sarawak Branch National Anti-Drug Agency. Talib had held the Jepak seat since it was first contested in the 7th Sarawak State Election in 1996.

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Can GPS maintain its youth vote appeal in Jepak?

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