KOTA KINABALU – Spoilt votes might have contributed to Datuk Joachim Gunsalam winning the number two post in Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) for the non-Muslim Bumiputra quota, defeating Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Joachim, who is Sabah’s deputy chief minister, won by only five votes after garnering 339 votes against Bangkuai, who is state Tourism, Culture and Environment assistant minister with 334 votes.
There were claims that the 65 spoilt votes could have favoured Bangkuai.
Following this development, Kiulu PBS deputy division chief Aliamis Sami requested to challenge the validity of the spoilt votes, but it turned out to be true – confirming Joachim’s deputy position post at about 1.30am today.
Bangkuai was later appointed as PBS’ information chief.
Matunggong rep Datuk Julita Majungki was appointed as secretary-general while Lu Kim Yen is treasurer-general.
Incumbent Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai retained his post as the deputy president for the Chinese quota, defeating his contender former Tg Aru rep Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah with a 259vote majority.
All seven seats contested recorded a high number of spoilt ballots, each between 34 and 85, with the highest being for the vice-president (Chinese quota), which was won by Arthur Sen Siong Choo.
Other winners were:
- Vice-presidents for Muslim-Bumiputra: Ruslan Muharam, Mursid Mohd Rais
- Vice-presidents for non-Muslim Bumiputra: Hendrus Anding, Datuk Johnny Mositun
- Supreme council members for Muslim-Bumiputra: Fazidah Mohd Yassin, Kasirin Kamiran, Juin Saman, Azmi Ahmad, Omar Abdul Hakim
- Supreme council Members for non-Muslim Bumiputra: Peter Jino Allion, Samuil Mopun, Fredolin Totin Bangon, Stanis Buandi, Suman Yasambun, Datuk William Majimbon, Masum Takin
- Supreme council members for Chinese: Datuk Johnny Goh, Kong Nyuk Thou, Lim Vun Chan, Datuk Gan En Siong
President Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili was uncontested, as well as deputy president for Muslim-Bumiputra Datuk Jahid Jahim, and women’s chief Malianah Ugau, among others. – The Vibes, July 1, 2022
