KOTA MARUDU, Nov 20 — Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) arguably the biggest casualty of the 15th general election (GE15) here today said that they will continue to serve the state in new roles following three defeats in the four seats they were contesting.

PBS president Datuk Maximus Ongkili said that the party will work with its partners in Perikatan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah as well as Barisan Nasional.

"PBS will continue to play our role with greater zeal and commitment to serve Sabah and the community," he said.

"As for my specific constituency of Kota Marudu, which I represented as a Member of Parliament for six consecutive terms and three terms as Assemblyman for Langkon and Tandek, I thank the constituents for the opportunity to serve them and hopefully I have been an agent of change. The electorates have made their choice and we respect their decision,” he said in a statement today.

Wetrom, who is also Bandau assemblyman, won the Kota Marudu seat with a majority of 8,174 votes.

Ongkili congratulated all political parties for taking part in GE15 and winning their respective parliamentary seats.

"Trust that, together, we will use the parliamentary platform as we work together for a better Sabah,” he said.

Wetrom, who is also Bandau assemblyman, won the Kota Marudu seat with a majority of 8,174 votes.

Ongkili lost to controversial candidate Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat deputy president Datuk Wetrom Bahanda.

Wetrom, who is the Bandau assemblyman and the former assistant minister to the Chief Minister had quit the ruling government just a few weeks ahead of the election to contest against Ongkili.

Bahanda unseated Ongkili with a convincing 8,174 majority.

Ongkili won 16,144 votes, Warisan’s Datuk Jilid Kuminding won 5,320 votes, Muda’s Shahrizal Denci won 3,225 votes, independent Norman Tulang won 660 votes while Pejuang’s Mohd Azmi Zulkiflee won 279 votes.