LUNDU: Barisan Nasional has retained the Tanjong Datu state seat after its candidate Puan Sri Jamilah Anu won the three-cornered by-election in a landslide victory.
Jamilah, who is the widow of the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem, won with a bigger majority of 6,443 votes edging out her two contenders.
She polled 6,573 votes while her contenders - State Reform Party chairman Johnny Aput and Rapelson Richard Hamit were trailing behind with only 108 votes and 130 votes respectively.
Both Johnny and Rapleson lost their deposits.
The result of the by-election was announced by Election Commission (EC) returning officer Hamsein Atar at the Lundu Community Hall vote-tallying centre here at about 7.50pm.
Hamsein said the by-election recorded 69.2 per cent in voter turnout, about six per cent lower than the targeted goal.
The number of rejected votes was 80 votes.
Jamilah, who is still fulfilling her iddah, was not present during the announcement.
She was represented by her son Azizul Annuar Adenan.
Azizul had earlier today said her mother will be waiting at their house in Damai Jaya, Santubong near here for the announcement.
The by-election was called due to Adenan’s demise on Jan 11.
During the 11th state election in May last year, Adenan retained the state seat with a majority votes of 5,892 votes.
He had polled 6,360 votes against PKR’s Jazolkipli Numan, who only obtained 468 votes and lost his deposit.