NEARLY four hundred candidates in Sabah’s 17th General election have forfeited their deposits after failing to reach the threshold of one-eighth of the total votes cast, results show
Among the most prominent casualties are the President of Parti Impian Sabah (PIS), Michel Alok @ Ilok, and the President of Parti Rumpun Sabah (Rumpun), Ismail Idris. Both men fell well short of the minimum vote requirement and consequently lost their deposits.
Michel, who stood in Telupid, secured only 291 votes and was soundly defeated by the incumbent, Jonnybone Kurum of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), who amassed 3,868 votes in a nine-cornered fight. In Sebatik, Ismail fared even worse, collecting a mere 41 votes in a ten-way contest won by Warisan’s Manahing Tinggilani @ Tanggilani with 2,795 votes.
Former tourism, arts and culture minister Mohamaddin Ketapi also failed to retain his deposit. Standing as an independent candidate in Segama, he garnered 1,644 votes and was beaten by Warisan’s Muhammad Abdul Karim, who secured 7,325 votes.
Overall, PIS recorded the highest number of candidates losing their deposits, with 72 affected. They were followed by 60 independent candidates, while Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Perikatan Nasional saw 36 candidates each forfeit their deposits.
Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) recorded 30 candidates losing their deposits, Warisan 23, Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu (Upko) 15, Barisan Nasional 12 and Pakatan Harapan two. - November 30, 2025
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