Kinabatangan: The Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections will serve as a significant test in determining the legacy of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. Political analysts have said that his influence is still strong among local voters, especially the youth, having held the Kinabatangan seat for over two decades.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty senior lecturer Dr. Haryati Abdul Karim emphasized the importance of these by-elections in evaluating the extent of Bung Moktar's political influence following his death. His longstanding ties with the local community, built on a history of helping people regardless of age, religion, and race, continue to resonate with voters, despite ongoing development challenges in Kinabatangan.
Dr. Haryati noted that the young voters might be inclined to support Bung Moktar's legacy, considering his efforts towards development in the area. She also highlighted that the by-elections would be a crucial gauge of Sabah Barisan Nasional's (BN) ability to recover after securing only six state seats in the 17th Sabah state election. The smaller candidate pool in the by-elections allows voters to make more definitive choices, which could be significant for Sabah BN's position within the Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.
In terms of voter demographics, over half of Kinabatangan's electorate is aged between 18 and 39, positioning them as pivotal figures in the election outcome. Their voting tendencies favor leadership continuity and future promises rather than mere party loyalty.
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah Administrative Sciences and Policy Studies Faculty senior lecturer Tony Paridi Bagang added that Kinabatangan, as a rural seat, requires development and consistent leadership to drive change. He mentioned that the BN candidate, being younger, could bring fresh ideas and approaches, benefiting from the leadership legacy and sympathy for Bung Moktar. Despite this, Parti Warisan remains a formidable opponent based on historical support.
The Kinabatangan parliamentary seat will see Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar of BN, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan), and Goldam Hamid (Independent) contesting. Meanwhile, for the Lamag state seat, Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) will compete against Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan) following the death of incumbent Bung Moktar on December 5. The campaign period begins today and will run until 11:59 pm on January 23, with polling day scheduled for January 24 and early voting on January 20.