Kinabatangan: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that Barisan Nasional's (BN) victories in the recent Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election and the Lamag state by-election reflect the people's confidence in leadership continuity and the anticipated stability for these constituencies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid noted in a Facebook post that the mandate given by the people is a significant trust that BN must uphold with full responsibility, continuing the service legacy of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. Moktar had made Kinabatangan and Lamag central to his lifelong political endeavors. Zahid also expressed his appreciation to the entire BN machinery and partners in the Sabah state government for their commitment and cooperation in achieving these victories.

Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup remarked that the Unity Government's candidates' successes demonstrate the people's trust in stable, principled, and responsible leadership. Arthur, who also serves as Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president, emphasized that these victories symbolize unity in leadership, political cooperation maturity, and confidence in Sabah's development direction.

Meanwhile, UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki highlighted the effectiveness of the BN machinery, which was mobilized comprehensively for the by-elections. He praised the commitment of BN machinery and Sabah UMNO's leadership under Datuk Jafry Ariffin for playing a crucial role in securing these victories. The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election saw Mohd Kurniawan Naim retaining the seat with a majority of 14,214 votes, while Mohd Ismail Ayob retained the Lamag state seat with a majority of 5,681 votes. Both elections were held following the death of the incumbent, Bung Moktar, on December 5 last year.