Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili (born 26 October 1953) is a Malaysian politician who has served as Chairman of the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECOS) since February 2023.[1] He served as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs for the second term in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administration in November 2022, the first term in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin from March 2020 to August 2021 as well as for National Unity and Integration in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from March 2004 to March 2008 and the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water in the BN administration under former Prime Minister Najib Razak from May 2013 to May 2018, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kota Marudu from March 2004 to November 2022 and for Bandau from April 1995 to March 2004. He is the 2nd President and a member of the United Sabah Party (PBS), a component party of the Sabah People's Alliance (GRS).[2]
Maximus Ongkili | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman of the Energy Commission of Sabah | |
| Assumed office 1 February 2023 | |
| Governor | Juhar Mahiruddin |
| Chief Minister | Hajiji Noor |
| Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Sabah and Sarawak Affairs | |
| In office 30 August 2021 – 24 November 2022 | |
| Monarch | Abdullah |
| Prime Minister | Ismail Sabri Yaakob |
| Deputy | Hanifah Hajar Taib |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Succeeded by | Armizan Mohd Ali |
| Constituency | Kota Marudu |
| In office 10 March 2020 – 16 August 2021 | |
| Monarch | Abdullah |
| Prime Minister | Muhyiddin Yassin |
| Deputy | Hanifah Hajar Taib |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Constituency | Kota Marudu |
| In office 27 March 2004 – 18 March 2008 National Unity and Integration | |
| Monarchs | Sirajuddin Mizan Zainal Abidin |
| Prime Minister | Abdullah Ahmad Badawi |
| Deputy | Joseph Entulu Belaun |
| Preceded by | Siti Zaharah Sulaiman (Minister of National Unity and Community Development) |
| Succeeded by | Shafie Apdal (Minister of National Unity, Arts, Culture and Heritage) |
| Constituency | Kota Marudu |
| Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water | |
| In office 16 May 2013 – 9 May 2018 | |
| Monarchs | Abdul Halim Muhammad V |
| Prime Minister | Najib Razak |
| Deputy | Mahdzir Khalid (2013–2015) James Dawos Mamit (2015–2018) |
| Preceded by | Peter Chin Fah Kui |
| Succeeded by | Yeo Bee Yin (Energy) Xavier Jayakumar Arulanandam (Water) |
| Constituency | Kota Marudu |
| Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation | |
| In office 19 March 2008 – 15 May 2013 | |
| Monarchs | Mizan Zainal Abidin Abdul Halim |
| Prime Minister | Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Najib Razak |
| Deputy | Fadillah Yusof |
| Preceded by | Jamaluddin Jarjis |
| Succeeded by | Ewon Ebin |
| Constituency | Kota Marudu |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Kota Marudu | |
| In office 21 March 2004 – 19 November 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Wetrom Bahanda (KDM) |
| Majority | 3,189 (2004) 4,198 (2008) 842 (2013) 1,774 (2018) |
| Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Bandau | |
| In office 25 April 1995 – 21 March 2004 | |
| Preceded by | George Sangkin (PBS) |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Majority | 4,865 (1995) 1,684 (1999) |
| Ministerial roles (Sabah) | |
| 1994 | Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister |
| Faction represented in Dewan Rakyat | |
| 1995–2002 | United Sabah Party |
| 2002–2018 | Barisan Nasional |
| 2018–2022 | United Sabah Party |
| 2022 | Gabungan Rakyat Sabah |
| Faction represented in Sabah State Legislative Assembly | |
| 1994–2002 | United Sabah Party |
| 2002–2008 | Barisan Nasional |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Maximus Johnity Ongkili 26 October 1953 Jesselton, Crown Colony of North Borneo |
| Political party | United Sabah Party |
| Other political affiliations | United Alliance (GBS) Perikatan Nasional (PN) Barisan Nasional (BN) Gagasan Rakyat (GR) Parti Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS Party) |
| Spouse |
Joan Maluda (died 2018) |
| Relations | James Peter Ongkili (brother) Joseph Pairin Kitingan (uncle) Jeffrey Kitingan (uncle) |
| Children | Rachel Jane Ongkili Andreas Jordan Ongkili |
| Alma mater | La Trobe University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Website | www |
Personal life
editOngkili was born on 26 October 1953 in Kota Kinabalu to parents from the district of Tambunan, namely a police officer, Alexius @ Alexander Ongkili Indoh, Snr. (1910–1991) from Kampung Lintuhun who was then reassigned to the Sabah police contingent headquarters of the Royal Malaysia Police (then known as the North Borneo Constabulary), but later acquired land and settled in Keningau (in the village of Kampung Ria Tuarid Taud) after his retirement from the police force and a housewife, Battindoi Kondilab Komboon (1915–1986), a native of Kampung Karanaan.
He is married with two children (currently widowed since 2018 and has since remarried as of 2023) and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics, conferred by Australia's La Trobe University.[3] He is a Christian belonging to the Borneo Evangelical Church (but formerly a Roman Catholic from birth until his adulthood, when he was deemed to be born again by converting to Protestantism via the said denomination).[4] Ongkili is also the nephew of former Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Jeffrey Kitingan, who is the President of the Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR).
Political career
editIn the Opposition
editOngkili was originally an opposition politician but joined the government when the PBS joined the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in 2002.
In 1991, he was imprisoned under the Internal Security Act for 59 days.[5] This was part of political arrests carried out between 1990 and 1991 to crack down on opposition leaders in Sabah, Malaysia, and their alleged plans to secede the state from Malaysia, allegedly known as Operation Talkak. Seven men were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). (See also 1991 Sabah political arrests).
At the time of his arrest on 3 January 1991, Ongkili was a senior researcher and deputy chief director of IDS and electoral press consultant to then Chief Minister of Sabah Joseph Pairin Kitingan during the 1990 Sabah state and national elections. He was released unconditionally on 2 March.
In the Government
editOngkili entered Parliament in the 1995 general election (at the time, the Kota Marudu seat was named Bandau). He was appointed a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department after the 2004 election[6] by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Ongkili was placed in charge of National Unity, and headed the initiation of the Khidmat Negara conscription program.
Ongkili was also a member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly until the 2008 election, when he stood aside from his Tandek seat.[7]
In 2008, Ongkili became the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation. Then, after his victory in the 2013 general elections, Ongkili has been appointed Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister.[8]
Election results
edit| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | P147 Bandau | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 10,716 | 64.06% | Jeffrey Kitingan (AKAR) | 5,851 | 34.98% | 16,927 | 4,865 | 69.72% | ||
| Conrad Jomilon Mojuntin (IND) | 162 | 0.97% | ||||||||||
| 1999 | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 8,465 | 51.38% | Maijol Mahap (UPKO) | 6,781 | 41.16% | 16,678 | 1,684 | 65.66% | |||
| Conrad Jomilon Mojuntin (IND) | 162 | 0.97% | ||||||||||
| 2004 | P168 Kota Marudu | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 10,457 | 59.00% | Anthony Biri Mandiau (IND) | 7,268 | 41.00% | 18,626 | 3,189 | 66.26% | ||
| 2008 | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 12,028 | 56.14% | Anthony Biri Mandiau (PKR) | 7,830 | 36.55% | 22,172 | 4,198 | 69.51% | |||
| Roslan Mohd Zain (IND) | 1,109 | 5.18% | ||||||||||
| Berman Angkap (BERSEKUTU) | 457 | 2.13% | ||||||||||
| 2013 | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 15,168 | 47.16% | Maijol Mahap (PKR) | 14,326 | 44.53% | 33,077 | 842 | 78.50% | |||
| Majamis Timbong (STAR) | 2,228 | 6.93% | ||||||||||
| Yuntau K. Kolod (SAPP) | 444 | 1.38% | ||||||||||
| 2018 | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 13,033 | 38.44%2 | Maijol Mahap (PHRS) | 11,259 | 33.21%2 | 35,085 | 1,774 | 74.95% | |||
| Barlus Mangabis (WARISAN) | 7,113 | 20.98% | ||||||||||
| Paul Porodong (PCS) | 2,501 | 7.37% | ||||||||||
| 2022 | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 16,144 | 32.32% | Wetrom Bahanda (KDM) | 24,318 | 48.69% | 49,946 | 8,174 | 61.86% | |||
| Jilid Kuminding (WARISAN) | 5,320 | 10.65% | ||||||||||
| Shahrizal Denci (MUDA) | 3,225 | 6.46% | ||||||||||
| Norman Tulang (Independent) | 660 | 1.32% | ||||||||||
| Mohd Azmi Zulkiflee (PEJUANG) | 279 | 0.56% | ||||||||||
| Notes: Table excludes votes for candidates who finished in third place or lower. 2 Different % used for 2018 election. | ||||||||||||
| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | N06 Langkon | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 4,171 | 73.47% | Newman Gaban (PBRS) | 1,452 | 25.58% | 5,727 | 2,719 | 74.60% | ||
| Linggu Lincoln Luwing (IND) | 54 | 0.95% | ||||||||||
| 1999 | N05 Tandek | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 5,671 | 53.77% | Saibul Supi (UPKO) | 4,412 | 41.84% | 10,677 | 1,259 | 77.09% | ||
| Joe Santi (BERSEKUTU) | 463 | 4.39% | ||||||||||
| 2004 | N05 Tandek | Maximus Ongkili (PBS) | 5,069 | 53.96% | George Sangkin (IND) | 2,356 | 25.08% | 9,840 | 2,713 | 67.78% | ||
| Anthony Biri Mandiau (IND) | 692 | 7.37% | ||||||||||
| Shahnuar Bodok (IND) | 685 | 7.29% | ||||||||||
| Abdul Kahar Abdul Rahman (keADILan) | 592 | 6.30% | ||||||||||
Honours
edit
Sabah :
Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (PGDK) – Datuk (2001)
Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (2011)[12]
Malacca :
Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DGSM) – Datuk Seri (2009)[13]
Pahang :
Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2017)
References
edit- ^ "Hajiji continues to strengthen GRS govt with appointments of political leaders". The Star. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Pairin Moves Aside After 31 Years Ongkili Is Acting President Of PBS". The Borneo Post. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ "The Honourable Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili, JP". Kota Marudu Member of Parliament. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "Sabah Christians annoyed over Christian Minister's remarks". UCA News. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ Jane Ritikos (31 March 2004). "Ongkili gets his reward". The Star. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ "A big honour for me, says Max". Bernama. Daily Express. 28 March 2004. Archived from the original on 16 August 2004. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ "PBS Retains Old Guards, Introduces Two New Faces". Bernama. 21 February 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ^ "Ongkili To Lead Malaysian Delegation To ASEAN Energy Ministers Meeting". Bernama. 25 September 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". Election Commission of Malaysia. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Percentage figures based on total turnout (including votes for candidates not listed).
- ^ "Sabah [Parliament Results]". The Star. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "N32 Tambunan". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Senarai Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Sabah Tahun 2011" (PDF). www.sabah.gov.my.
- ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran Bintang Dan Pingat". www.istiadat.gov.my.