Datuk Billy Abit Joo (born 10 May 1949) was the Member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the Hulu Rajang constituency in Sarawak from 1990 to 2013.

Billy Abit Joo
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Hulu Rajang, Sarawak
In office
1990 – 5 May 2013
Preceded byJustine Jinggot (SNAP)
Succeeded byWilson Ugak Kumbong (PRS)
Majority1,193 (1990)
3,647 (1995)
4,133 (1999)
3,666 (2004)
2,164 (2008)
Personal details
Born (1949-05-10) 10 May 1949 (age 74)
Crown Colony of Sarawak
Political partyPRS
Other political
affiliations
Barisan Nasional (BN)
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) (2018–)
OccupationPolitician

Billy Abit entered Parliament in the 1990 election, running as an independent.[1][2] He later joined the Sarawak People's Party (PRS) in the Barisan Nasional coalition. His rural constituency was the largest by area in Malaysia.[1] In 2009, he led a parliamentary delegation into the constituency to enquire into living conditions of the Penan people.[3] He has called for the establishment of forest reserves for the Penans.[4] In 2008, he crossed party lines to be the only government MP to sign a petition for the review of Malaysia's Internal Security Act.[5]

Billy Abit's parliamentary career came to an end at the 2013 election, when the PRS nominated Wilson Ugak Kumbong to contest Hulu Rajang.[6]

Election results edit

Parliament of Malaysia[2]
Year Constituency Candidate Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
1990 P176 Hulu Rajang, Sarawak Billy Abit Joo (IND) 5,393 56.22% Justine Jinggut (SNAP) 4,200 43.78% 9,908 1,193 70.75%
1995 P188 Hulu Rajang, Sarawak Billy Abit Joo (PRS) 6,731 68.58% Lucius Jimbun (IND) 3,084 31.42% 10,111 3,647 63.80%
1999 P189 Hulu Rajang, Sarawak Billy Abit Joo (PRS) 6,884 71.45% Kumbong Langit (IND) 2,751 28.55% 9,878 4,133 61.66%
2004 P215 Hulu Rajang, Sarawak Billy Abit Joo (PRS) 6,949 67.91% Bendindang Manjah (SNAP) 3,283 32.09% 10,416 3,666 60.61%
2008 P216 Hulu Rajang, Sarawak Billy Abit Joo (PRS) 6,590 59.82% George Lagong (IND) 4,426 40.18% 11,164 2,164 63.09%

Honours edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Suhaini Aznam (7 March 2008). "Standing up for his folk". The Star. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri". Election Commission of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 6 September 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2010. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  3. ^ Then, Stephen (27 July 2009). "M'sian politicians to go deep into Borneo to see Penan plight". The Star. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Set up forest reserves for Penans, Government urged". The Star. 30 October 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  5. ^ "Mystery solved – it was Billy Abit". The Star. 26 October 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  6. ^ Sibon, Peter (30 March 2013). "Hulu Rajang a Barisan stronghold — Ugak". Borneo Post. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  7. ^ "Senarai Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 1998" (PDF). www.istiadat.gov.my.
  8. ^ "Senarai Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 2008" (PDF). www.istiadat.gov.my.