BN Has Won A Ninth Parliamentary Seat In Sabah
Tuesday, 16 March 2004 (Source: Bernama)

KOTA KINABALU: The Barisan Nasional (BN) has won a ninth parliamentary seat uncontested in Sabah when an independent candidate in Keningau, Jouti @ Joseph Ajun, pulled out of the race late Monday night.

Jouti submitted his withdrawal paper at 10 pm to Keningau returning officer Michael Emban who subsequenty declared the BN candidate, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan, as the winner.

Pairin is the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president.

Besides Keningau, the BN also won Batu Sapi last night when the Keadilan candidate, Pengiran Roslan Pengiran Masrun, pulled out of the race, giving a walkover to BN's Edmund Chong Ket Wah.

The BN won seven parliamentary seats uncontested on nomination day and with last night's withdrawal, it has bagged a total of nine parliamentary seats so far.

As for state seats, the ruling coalition has won eight seats uncontested -- four on nomination day and another four yesterday when opposition and independent candidates withdrew their candidacies.

Jouti told a media conference at the PBS headquarters in Donggongon, near here, that he decided to pull out of the race in Keningau and threw his support to Pairin after considering the interest of unity among the Kadazandusun.

"I am also appealing to my supporters to give their undivided support to the BN candidates in this election," he said.

When asked to comment on his victory, Pairin said it showed that the candidate concerned had realised the strength of the BN.

"Certainly this will further spur me on as a BN candidate to continue to give my best in the interest of my constituents.

"I thank the friend who have paved way for me. This is a good indication as it has further boosted the spirit and strength of the BN," he said.

Besides Keningau, Pairin has also been fielded to contest the Tambunan state seat. He is facing an independent candidate, Nester Joannes.