Kota kinabalu: Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah has expressed gratitude towards Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for their unwavering support of BN candidates in the upcoming Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections. BN Sabah chairman, Datuk Jafry Ariffin, highlighted the significant backing received from GRS, orchestrated through directives by Sabah Chief Minister and GRS chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, urging GRS leadership to rally their campaign machinery in the Lamag, Kuamut, and Sukau areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this cooperation underscores a shared commitment among the parties to foster political stability and uphold the principle of incumbency in these by-elections. Jafry expressed his appreciation for Datuk Seri Hajiji's role, acknowledging the dynamic nature of politics and the need to move past previous grievances in response to the current circumstances. He announced a meeting scheduled for today in Kota Kinabalu, involving GRS, the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), and BN, aiming to bolster campaign efforts before polling day on Saturday.
Jafry urged BN candidates and campaign teams to continue their diligence until the campaign period concludes at 11.59 pm on January 23, despite robust support from the component parties of the Sabah Unity Government. He emphasized the importance of unity and full commitment to ensure BN's victory in the by-elections. He also noted the involvement of Deputy Chief Minister I and acting Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, in assisting the campaign in Lamag, expressing optimism about the positive response from component partners.
Addressing opposition narratives focusing on local party issues during the campaign, Jafry dismissed these as political rhetoric without substantive differences. He reaffirmed BN's commitment to supporting GRS as part of the state government coalition and emphasized the safeguarding of Sabah people's rights, despite BN's status as a national-based party.
The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election will see a three-cornered contest among BN candidate Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman from Warisan, and independent candidate Goldam Hamid. Meanwhile, the Lamag state by-election presents a direct contest between BN's Mohd Ismail Ayob and Warisan's Mazliwati Abdul Malek. These by-elections follow the death of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, on December 5 last year. The Election Commission has scheduled early voting for tomorrow, with polling set for Saturday.