Sarawak Assembly Speaker will notify EC of Jepak vacancy

KUCHING - Sarawak State Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar will submit a notice to the Election Commission (EC) of the vacancy for the N67 Jepak state seat following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, today.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang said that as provided in the Sarawak Constitution, it is the speaker’s responsibility to submit a notice to the EC about the vacancy.

"The Speaker will notify the EC so that the EC can issue an order, a writ for a by-election because (we think) there are about three years still left for the current term,” he said.

The state constitution requires a by-election to be held within 60 days from the date it is confirmed that there is a vacant position, he told reporters paying his last respect to the late Talib at the Normah Medical Centre here tonight.

Talib, 72, breathed his last at 5.50pm today due to kidney complications after being admitted to the medical centre yesterday.

Talib, a former minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister's Office (Integrity and Ombudsman), served as Jepak assemblyman for six terms since 1996. - BERNAMA