KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai have won the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president and deputy president posts unopposed, respectively, for the 2026-2029 term.

Secretary-General Datuk Julita Mojungki, who is also the party election committee chairperson, said Dr Joachim, who has been holding the acting president post for the past three years, was the sole candidate for president when nomination closed on July 31.

She said similarly Kiulu Assemblyman Joniston was the only candidate nominated for the deputy president post under the non-Muslim Bumiputera quota.

Also winning unopposed was Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Minister Datuk Ruslan Muharram for the Muslim Bumiputera quota when another candidate only managed to secure one nomination.

Candidates requires a minimum of three nominations to be eligible to contest in the party election.

Julita said that for the Chinese deputy president post, two candidates were eligible: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Lo Su Fui, and Supreme Council member Goon Thien Shang.

Meanwhile, she said three nominations have been received for the two non-Muslim Bumiputera vice president post namely Tandek Assemblyman Datuk Hendrus Anding, Telupid Assemblyman Datuk Jonnybone J Kurum and incumbent Datuk Johnny Mositun.

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

Julita said that for the Chinese vice president quota, five candidates have qualified, with incumbent Datuk Arthur Sen, Datuk Fredian Gan, Goon Thien Shang, who was also nominated for the deputy president post, Datuk Johnny Goh and Ng Tze Sai.

Only one slot is available for the Chinese vice president quota.

Julita said that for the non-Muslim Bumiputera supreme council member posts, a total of 28 candidates received sufficient nominations to contest for the available seven slots.

She also said 23 candidates had received enough nominations to contest for the five available supreme council slots under the Muslim Bumiputera quota.

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

The nomination acceptance period closed on Aug 7.

Julita said the party had received a record 79 nominations for all posts, with more than half contesting for the first time.

Meanwhile, Dr Joachim said the record number of candidates, with half making their debut, is proof that many are interested in serving the party.

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

The Kundasang Assemblyman said several key party matters were discussed, including preparations for the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Congress, which is scheduled to be held this September.

“Thorough preparations are essential to ensure the congress proceeds smoothly and serves as an ideal platform to strengthen party unity, renew its commitment to the struggle and chart its future direction in the best interests of the people and Sabah’s future,” he said.