Court strikes out Bengkoka election petition, BN keeps seat

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 24): The Election Court here struck out with costs an election petition filed by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate for Bengkoka, who had challenged the victory of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Harun Durabi in the 17th Sabah state election.

Judge Dean Wayne Daly made the decision after allowing preliminary objections raised by Harun to strike the petition.

In his petition, Samuil Mopun alleged, among others, non-compliance with provisions of the Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981, including issues relating to the counting process at a polling stream and matters concerning Form 14.

The petition sought to declare the election void under Section 32(b) of the Election Offences Act 1954 on the basis of alleged non-compliance said to have affected the election result.

Harun was represented by Mohd Reduan Datuk Aklee, Hassan Murtaza, Mohd Syarulnizam Mohd Salleh, Mortimer Maluda, and Wong Chik Kien.

The petitioner was represented by counsels Jaikol Situn and Rijolin Molisin.

During the election on Nov 29, 2025, Harun received 2,485 votes in an 11-cornered fight to win by a slim majority of 77 votes, defeating Samuil, who garnered 2,408 votes.