KOTA KINABALU: Acting President Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam (pic) wins Parti Bersatu Sabah's presidency unopposed after securing nominations from all 61 divisions ahead of the party congress on Sept 24-26 in Kota Kinabalu.
Gunsalam, the Deputy Chief Minister I, assumed the acting role after former president Maximus Ongkili stepped aside on June 1, 2024.
The party’s Information chief, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, also won the non-Muslim bumiputera deputy president position unopposed after receiving all division nominations.
Vice President Datuk Ruslan Muharam expects to secure the Muslim bumiputera deputy presidency uncontested as incumbent Datuk Seri Jahid Jahim retires from active politics.
Tawau MP Datuk Lo Su Fui and supreme council member Goon Thien Shang are eligible to contest the Chinese deputy president post previously held by Datuk Seri Dr Yee Moh Chai.
Thirteen candidates were nominated for three vice president slots, while 66 candidates will vie for 20 supreme council seats.
The party also expects contests in all positions for the youth and wanita wings.
The coming party congress and election is seen as a major top leadership transition, with most of the senior old guards retiring and making way for fresh leadership in Sabah’s oldest multi-racial party.
PBS is a major partner in the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government and remained loyal to the state coalition despite pressures to pull out and contest last year’s state election solo.
