KUALA LUMPUR: Two of the four federal deputy ministers who contested in the 17th Sabah state election have emerged victorious.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, won the Sook seat with a majority of 4,727 votes, defeating four challengers, including the incumbent Datuk Ellron Angin of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Representing Barisan Nasional (BN), Arthur, who is also president of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and MP for Pensiangan, secured a total of 8,307 votes.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal, who is also the MP for Lahad Datu, succeeded in an eight-cornered contest for the Silam seat under the Warisan banner, winning with a majority of 1,257 votes.
However, the electoral fortunes did not favour the other two deputy ministers.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin (BN), who is also MP for Kimanis, lost the nine-cornered contest for the Bogawan seat, obtaining 4,569 votes against Warisan’s Dr Daud Yusof, who secured 5,542 votes. Meanwhile, Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin (PH), also MP for Kota Kinabalu, was defeated in the nine-cornered contest for Tanjung Aru, receiving 2,532 votes.
Former Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), retained the Kadamaian seat comfortably, winning 11,977 votes with a majority of 9,672 in an eight-cornered contest.
The 17th Sabah State Election saw 596 candidates contesting 73 state seats. — BERNAMA
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