PARTI Sarawak Bersatu’s (PSB) candidate for the Lubok Antu parliamentary seat, Johnical Rayong Ngipa, who suffered a slim defeat in the general election, is seeking to nullify the result. 

He told a press conference in Kuching that his request for a recount was rejected by the returning officer without reason, and that his opponent (Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s Roy Angau Gingkoi) had afterwards been declared the winner by a 100-vote majority. 

“At first (before the result announcement), I was informed that I was leading and even several television stations were already reporting then that PSB had won one. They were referring to me. But after that I lost,” he said. 

According to him, although he has 21 days after the elections to file a petition at the Election Court to appeal against the result, for the time being he hoped the Election Commission would review its decision on his recount request. 

“I also want to know how many voters cast their votes, how many were spoiled votes, how many ballot papers were not returned, and other things,” he added. 

In the polls, Rayong, who is also Engkilili assemblyman, was engaged in a four-cornered fight and received 6,544 votes against the 6,644 obtained by Roy Angau. The other two candidates were Jugah Muyang (PN-Bersatu) who got 5,360 votes and Langga Lias (PH-PKR) who obtained 746 votes. – Bernama, November 23, 2022.