Kinabatangan: Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election, Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, has expressed his appreciation for the support shown by component parties of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which have been actively campaigning to back his candidacy. Mohd Kurniawan Naim, better known as Naim Moktar, said the cooperation among coalition partners in the Sabah Unity Government was vital to the state's stability and development.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Naim Moktar stated that he was pleased with the support, which has been an added boost to campaigning across all areas. The Kinabatangan UMNO youth chief shared his thoughts with reporters after visiting the Kampung Balat and Kampung Sangau polling districts.

With five days remaining before polling on January 24, Naim Moktar has visited over 20 polling districts in Kinabatangan since nominations opened on January 10. He mentioned that despite the challenges posed by the area's terrain, which required travel by boat and four-wheel-drive, he remained determined to reach voters, including those in the interiors such as Inarad, Kuamut, and Karamuak.

In the by-election, Mohd Kurniawan Naim is competing against Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman from Warisan and Goldam Hamid, an independent candidate. Meanwhile, the Lamag state seat sees Mohd Ismail Ayob facing Mazliwati Abdul Malek from Warisan. The by-elections were necessitated by the passing of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, on December 5 of the previous year. The Election Commission has scheduled early voting for this Tuesday.