James bin Ratib (born 8 October 1966) is a Malaysian politician who served as the State Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation of Sabah in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state administration under Chief Minister Hajiji Noor since December 2025 and State Minister of Community Development and People's Wellbeing of Sabah from January 2023 until November 2025, as well as Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Sugut since May 2013. He previously served as the State Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Sabah in the GRS state administration under Hajiji and Minister Jeffrey Kitingan from October 2020 to his promotion to full ministership of a different portfolio in January 2023. He is a member and the Division Chairman of N48 Sugut of the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GAGASAN), a major component party of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition and was formerly a member of the United Malays National Organisation of Sabah (Sabah UMNO) and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO).
Election results + Sabah State Legislative AssemblyYearConstituencyCandidateVotesPctOpponent(s)VotesPctBallots castMajorityTurnout2013N39 SugutJames Ratib (Sabah UMNO)4,285 62.56%Abdul Rahman Atang (IND)1,46521.39%7,175 2,820 74.20%Pagrios Zabang (PKR)6479.45% Masiawan Kunching (STAR)3414.98% Datu Kamaruddin Datu Mustapha (IND)1111.62% 2018James Ratib (Sabah UMNO)4,704 55.77%Aspah Abdullah Sani (WARISAN)3,18337.74%8,882 1,521 75.90%Arshad Abdul Mualaf (PPRS)4365.17% Ag Osman Asibih (PKS)1111.32% 2020N48 SugutJames Ratib (Sabah UMNO)4,308 57.88%Norsabrina Japar (WARISAN)2,64435.52%7,443 1,664 63.55%Razak Allexsius Kontuni (LDP)1782.39% Raimon Lanjat (PCS)1241.67% Kamaruddin Jamil (PPRS)861.16% Undang Jalang (IND)650.87% Jubin Tulawi (USNO Baru)380.51%2025James Ratib (GAGASAN)6,28150.00%Ronald Kiandee (Sabah BERSATU)3,49827.84%12,8362,78369.68%Aspah Abdullah Sani (WARISAN)1,41411.26%Mohammad Arifin Pachuk (Sabah UMNO)9227.34%Rosely Lajun (IMPIAN)2201.75%Roger Langgau (IND)1431.14%Hassan Mentiak (PPRS)850.68%
Honours
Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (PGDK) – Datuk (2011) Companion of the Order of Kinabalu (ASDK) (2009)
References