Jonnybone J Kurum

• Legislative Role: Serving as the MLA for Telupid since October 2020
• Executive Support: Held the role of Political Secretary to the federal Minister handling Sabah and Sarawak affairs (27 Sept 2021–24 Nov 2022)
• Party Leadership: Elevated to Deputy Secretary-General of PBS in mid-2022
• Constituency Advocacy:
  • In April 2025, stressed that no single group is responsible for Sabah’s development legacy and urged unity to advance the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda
  • In July 2025, called for urgent funding to address water treatment upgrades, riverbank erosion, rebuilding bridges, and preserving civic amenities in Telupid
  • In early 2024, reminded motorists and public transport drivers to drive safely, citing poor road conditions around Telupid-Ranau
  • When Telupid was ranked among Malaysia’s “happiest districts” in March 2025, he welcomed the recognition while acknowledging concerns about ongoing development challenges

• Elected as the Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) for the newly created Telupid constituency since its establishment on 9 October 2020. He secured the seat with a majority of 685 votes
• Served as Political Secretary to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department overseeing Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, Maximus Ongkili, from 27 September 2021 to 24 November 2022
• Appointed as a Deputy Secretary-General of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) starting 1 July 2022
• Current Party: A member of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), which is a key component of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition

• A Malaysiakini article suggested that he “appeared to admit” to a corruption scandal in the state legislature. Jonnybone strongly denied this, calling the report “distorted,” reaffirmed his anti-corruption stance, and emphasized the necessity of due legal process through established agencies like MACC and PDRM Borneo Post OnlineMalaysiakini.

Full News Link:

• “Jonnybone hits back at ‘distorted’ report, rejects corruption allegation” – The Borneo Post, 16 April 2025: https://www.theborneopost.com/2025/04/16/jonnybone-hits-back-at-distorted-report-rejects-corruption-allegation/

• Food security through agriculture (May 14, 2024).
  Said Telupid can bolster Sabah’s food security with support from research and crop-system agencies, aligning with Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) priorities. Daily Express. Daily Express

• Infrastructure advocacy for rural areas (2020).
  Called for upgrades in Nangoh—roads, a concrete bridge, clean water supply, and 4G tower upgrades—to be prioritised under RMK-12. (Syndicated report via Newswav.) Newswav

• Chaired a meeting to appoint GRS Youth Coordinators across parliamentary levels to streamline election prep. Daily Express. Daily Express

• Among assembly members raising questions about the Syukur cash-aid programme (RM300/month to 100k poor/hardcore poor; RM358.4m allocation). Daily Express. Daily Express

• Urged cross-faction cooperation, saying instability hampers Sabah’s progress. The Star. The Star