He told a press conference here today his request for a recount was rejected by the returning officer without giving any reason.

Instead, he said, his opponent, Roy Angau Gingkoi of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), was declared the winner by a 100-vote majority.

“At first, I was informed that I was leading, and several television stations were even reporting that PSB had won. They were referring to me. But then, I lost,” he said.

Rayong said although he had 21 days after the election to file a petition in the election court, he hoped the Election Commission (EC) would review its decision to reject his request for a recount.

“I want to know how many voters cast their votes, how many votes were spoilt, how many ballot papers were not returned, and other things,” he said.

Rayong, who is also the Engkilili assemblyman, was engaged in a four-cornered fight in Lubok Antu and obtained 6,544 votes against 6,644 won by Angau. The other two candidates were Pakatan Harapan’s Langga Lias, who obtained 746 votes, and Perikatan Nasional’s Jugah Muyang, who won 5,360 votes.