# Arthur Joseph Kurup

Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup (born 4 August 1982) is a Malaysian politician, lawyer and economist who has served as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in the Unity Government administration under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Minister Mohamad Sabu since December 2023 and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pensiangan since May 2018. He previously served as the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation prior to the 2023 cabinet reshuffle under Minister Chang Lih Kang from December 2022 to December 2023, Deputy Minister of Works in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former Minister Fadillah Yusof from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administration in November 2022 and the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Economic Affairs in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former Minister Mustapa Mohamed from March 2020 to the collapse of the PN administration in August 2021. He is a member of the United Sabah People's Party (PBRS), a component party of the BN coalition and has served as the 2nd President of PBRS since January 2023. He is also presently the sole PBRS MP elected in the 2022 General election. Additionally, he is the only president of a party appointed as a deputy minister in Anwar's cabinet.

## Career

Arthur previously worked as a Trade and Legal Officer at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland before returning to Malaysia. He served as a Director of Sabah Housing and Development Town Board.

## Politics

He is the eldest son of the 1st and founding President of PBRS Joseph Kurup. He served as the Deputy President of PBRS from November 2015 to his promotion to party presidency in January 2023 and had served as Vice President and Youth Chief of PBRS in the past. In the 2018 general election, his party of United Sabah People's Party (PBRS) fielded him to contest the Pensiangan parliamentary seat to succeed his father and party president, Joseph Kurup. He faced Raymond Ahuar from the People's Justice Party (PKR) and defeated him.

## Election results

Parliament of Malaysia :
| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Opponent(s) | Votes | Pct | Ballots cast | Majority | Turnout |
| 2018 | P182 Pensiangan | Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS) | 11,783 | 48.35% | Raymond Ahuar (PKR) | 9,469 | 38.86% | 24,368 | 2,314 | 77.66% |
| 2018 | P182 Pensiangan | Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS) | 11,783 | 48.35% | Richard Joe Jimmy (STAR) | 2,839 | 11.65% | 24,368 | 2,314 | 77.66% |
| 2018 | P182 Pensiangan | Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS) | 11,783 | 48.35% | Maidin Atak (PCS) | 212 | 0.87% | 24,368 | 2,314 | 77.66% |
| 2018 | P182 Pensiangan | Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS) | 11,783 | 48.35% | Engah Sintan (IND) | 65 | 0.27% | 24,368 | 2,314 | 77.66% |
| 2022 | P182 Pensiangan | Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS) | 19,623 | 52.88% | Sangkar Rasam (PKR) | 14,211 | 38.29% | 37,110 | 5,412 | 66.66% |
| 2022 | P182 Pensiangan | Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS) | 19,623 | 52.88% | Jekerison Kilan (KDM) | 1,640 | 4.42% | 37,110 | 5,412 | 66.66% |
| 2022 | P182 Pensiangan | Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS) | 19,623 | 52.88% | Siti Noorhasmahwatty Osman (WARISAN) | 1,512 | 4.07% | 37,110 | 5,412 | 66.66% |
| 2022 | P182 Pensiangan | Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS) | 19,623 | 52.88% | Jamani Derimin (PEJUANG) | 124 | 0.33% | 37,110 | 5,412 | 66.66% |

## Honours

* Malaysia :
** Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal
* Sabah :
** Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (PGDK) – Datuk (2023)
** Companion of the Order of Kinabalu (ASDK) (2021)
** Justice of the Peace (JP) (2014)
* Federal Territory (Malaysia) :
** Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown (PMW) – Datuk (2021)