WOMEN candidates registered notable gains in Sabah’s 17th general election, with five securing the confidence of voters despite intensely crowded fields.
Their victories stood in sharp contrast to a night of upsets that saw former ministers, party presidents and other prominent personalities swept aside at the ballot box.
Datuk Rina Jainal retained the Kukusan seat as an Independent, prevailing in a ten-cornered contest with 3,480 votes and a majority of 650.
Her re-election followed a turbulent period in which she quit Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah after the party suspended her membership for three years from 12 November, thereby preventing her from contesting under its banner.
In Matunggong, Datuk Julita Mojungki, who serves as secretary-general of Parti Bersatu Sabah, secured 9,096 votes and a majority of 334 while contesting under the GRS banner. Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, the Kota Belud MP, added the Usukan seat to Warisan’s tally by defeating five challengers, among them former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
She won with 6,292 votes and a majority of 442.
Warisan also celebrated success in Sungai Sibuga, where newcomer Nurulalsah Hasan Alban clinched victory with a narrow majority of 88 votes against four rivals, including candidates from PIS, PN, GRS and BN.
In Inanam, Edna Jessica Majimbun delivered another win for the party.
Altogether, 71 women contested the election, representing 11.9 per cent of the 596 candidates vying for 73 seats.
However, the poll also produced a long list of casualties among the state’s political elite.
Those defeated included Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin in Tanjung Aru and Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin in Bogawan.
Several party presidents suffered similar fates, among them Parti Cinta Sabah’s Tan Sri Anifah Aman in Sook, Parti Rumpun Sabah’s Datuk Dr Ismail Idris in Sebatik and Parti Impian Sabah’s Michel Alok @ Ilok in Telupid.
Former Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia was defeated in Pintasan, while Perikatan Nasional Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee failed to defend Sugut.
In Kuamut, celebrated Sabah singer and actor Abu Bakar Ellah fell short under the KDM banner, as did his party president Priscella Peter in Melalap.
Other high-profile losses included former tourism minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi, standing as an Independent in Segama; Datuk Yamani Hafez, son of Sabah’s Yang Dipertua Negeri, in Sindumin; BN veteran Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak in Usukan; and Warisan vice-president Terence Siambun in Moyog.
The election, featuring a record 596 candidates, underscored both the volatility and competitiveness of Sabah’s political landscape, as negotiations to form the next government now intensify. - November 30, 2025
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