Iskandar Turkee

Summary

Iskandar Turkee is the PBB-GPS assemblyman for Jepak, Sarawak, having won a state by-election on 4 November 2023 with a majority of 8,784 votes — his electoral debut after a career as Sarawak state director of the National Anti-Drugs Agency [1][2]. He was sworn in on 20 November 2023 and subsequently joined PBB, where he serves as Jepak branch chairman [3]. A Bintulu-born civil service veteran, he was selected by GPS after passing screenings by the police, MACC, and the Insolvency Department prior to his candidacy [1].

Biography

Iskandar Turkee is the Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) for Jepak, a state constituency within the federal constituency of Bintulu in Sarawak, representing Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition. Born in Bintulu, he is a local of Kampung Sebiew [3]. Prior to entering elected politics, Iskandar served as the state director of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA/AADK) in Sarawak, a career in public service that included extensive social and community-based work [1]. He received his tertiary education at Universiti Putra Malaysia [4]. At the time of his selection as a candidate, Iskandar was not a member of any GPS component party; he was chosen by consensus within PBB and endorsed by all GPS parties for the November 2023 Jepak by-election, called following the death of six-term incumbent Datuk Talib Zulpilip on 15 September 2023 [3][1]. GPS chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced his candidacy on 18 October 2023, noting that Iskandar had received clear screening reports from the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and the Insolvency Department prior to selection [1]. On 4 November 2023, Iskandar won the by-election in a three-cornered contest, polling 9,638 votes for a majority of 8,784 over his nearest rival — more than double the majority secured by his predecessor in the 2021 state election [2]. He was sworn in as Jepak assemblyman on 20 November 2023 at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly [1]. He subsequently joined PBB and was appointed chairman of the PBB Jepak branch on 4 May 2024 [3].

Known for

Iskandar Turkee is defined politically by his transition from a long career as a federal civil servant — specifically as Sarawak state director of the National Anti-Drugs Agency — into elected state politics as a GPS-PBB assemblyman [1]. His 2023 by-election victory retained a seat that had been held continuously by PBB since 1996, and his winning majority of 8,784 votes was more than double that of his predecessor in 2021 [2]. He also serves as chairman of the PBB Jepak branch, the party organisation for his constituency [3].

Political positions

No extensive on-record policy statements by Iskandar Turkee on specific legislative or social issues have been identified in available sources as of the profile date. His electoral campaign was conducted under the GPS platform, which emphasised the continued development of the Jepak Jaya area in Bintulu — including village upgrades and the development of Jepak Jaya as a model industrial town [1][5]. His pre-political background as Sarawak NADA director, highlighted during his candidate selection, was cited by GPS and PBB as relevant experience in social work and community engagement [2]. Beyond these points, no detailed personal policy positions have been sourced from the allowlist.

Education

1. Unknown (tertiary)Attended Universiti Putra Malaysia for tertiary education.⛓

Before politics

1. Prior to 2023Served as Sarawak state director of the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA/AADK), a federal civil service role involving social and community-based anti-drug work.⛓

Political career

1. 18 October 2023Announced as GPS-PBB candidate for the Jepak state by-election by GPS chairman and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. At the time he was not a member of any GPS component party.⛓
2. 4 November 2023Won the Jepak state by-election in a three-cornered contest, polling 9,638 votes for a majority of 8,784 over rivals Stevenson Joseph Sumbang (PBK) and Chieng Lea Phing (Aspirasi). Voter turnout was 48.57%.⛓
3. 20 November 2023Sworn in as ADUN for Jepak at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, in front of Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, witnessed by Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.⛓
4. 4 May 2024Formally joined PBB and was appointed chairman of the PBB Jepak branch, filling the vacancy left by the late Datuk Talib Zulpilip.⛓

Election history

• 2023Jepak (DUN)Won88.2%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentGPS chairman and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg described Iskandar as the right person to continue the work of the late assemblyman Talib Zulpilip, noting that his Bintulu roots made him capable of working with the people of Jepak.⛓
• ExpertUniversiti Putra Malaysia political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Anak Jawan predicted that GPS candidate Iskandar Turkee would likely win by a 65 to 70 per cent margin, citing the absence of significant issues and strong Malay-Melanau voter support for GPS in Jepak.⛓
• VerifiedFactsIskandar won the 4 November 2023 Jepak by-election with 9,638 votes (majority 8,784) in a three-cornered contest on a 48.57% turnout of 22,804 registered voters, representing GPS's seventh consecutive victory in the seat.⛓