Protosticta joepani sp. nov. is described from Malaysian Borneo (holotype male Bario, Kelabit Highlands, Miri Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, deposited in the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden). It is the sister species of P. kinabaluensis Laidlaw, 1915; some descriptive notes and a set of illustrations are provided of the latter species. A COI gene tree for both species is provided. The placement of both P. joepani and P. kinabaluensis is discussed, but although it is very unlikely that they belong in Protosticta sensu stricto, the issue is left open here.