Joachim Gunsalam elected PBS president unopposed as party sees record nominations

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 6 — Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam has been elected as the new Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president unopposed for the 2026 to 2029 term, after serving as acting president for the past three years.

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who was previously the party’s information chief, was also elected deputy president unopposed.

Bangkuai, who is also Kiulu assemblyman, was the only candidate nominated for the deputy president post under the non-Muslim Bumiputera quota.

Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Minister Datuk Ruslan Muharram also won unopposed under the Muslim Bumiputera quota after another candidate secured only one nomination.

Candidates require a minimum of three nominations to qualify to contest in the party election.

PBS secretary-general Datuk Julita Mojungki, who is also the party election committee chairperson, said two candidates qualified for the deputy president post under the Chinese category — Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Lo Su Fui and supreme council member Goon Thien Shang.

She said three nominations were received for the two non-Muslim Bumiputera vice-president posts, involving Tandek assemblyman Datuk Hendrus Anding, Telupid assemblyman Datuk Jonnybone J Kurum and incumbent Datuk Johnny Mositun.

For the Muslim Bumiputera vice-president quota, six candidates qualified for the two available slots — incumbent Haji Mursid Mohd Rais, Sharol Mahoolop, Zamil Ismail, Kasirin Kamiran, Ali Latif Taha and Dr Rodah Haji Sawang.

Julita said five candidates qualified for the Chinese vice-president quota, with only one slot available. They are incumbent Datuk Arthur Sen, Datuk Fredian Gan, Goon Thien Shang, who is also contesting the deputy president post, Datuk Johnny Goh and Ng Tze Sai.

She added that 28 candidates are contesting the seven available supreme council positions under the non-Muslim Bumiputera quota, while 23 candidates qualified for the five supreme council positions under the Muslim Bumiputera quota.

A total of 15 candidates will contest the four supreme council positions under the Chinese quota, she said.

Julita said the nomination acceptance period closed on Aug 7, with the party receiving a record 79 nominations for all posts, more than half of whom are first-time contenders.

Meanwhile, Dr Joachim said the record number of candidates, including many newcomers, showed that there was strong interest in serving the party.

“This augurs well for PBS’ rejuvenation process,” he said after chairing the PBS political bureau and supreme council meeting yesterday.