Kota kinabalu: A total of 926 police officers and personnel have been deployed in Sabah to ensure the smooth conduct of the Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun stated that all officers and personnel would be stationed on the ground throughout the by-election period to safeguard the democratic process in the Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency, which includes the state seats of Lamag, Sukau, and Kuamut.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kuamut falls under the administration of the Beluran District Police Headquarters (IPD), while Lamag and Sukau are under the Kinabatangan IPD. Close coordination among these jurisdictions is necessary to prevent disruptions during the by-election period. Reinforcements have been drawn from nearby districts, including the Sandakan IPD, Lahad Datu IPD, Semporna IPD, and the 15th Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) in Sandakan.
The Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections were necessitated by the death of their incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin, on December 5 last year. The Election Commission (EC) has announced a 14-day campaign period, with nomination day set for this Saturday, January 10. Polling day is scheduled for January 24, and early voting will occur on January 20.
Jauteh urged all contesting political parties to campaign responsibly, respect local sensitivities, and avoid raising issues that could incite tension or disrupt public order during the campaign period. He also appealed to the community in the affected areas to cooperate with the PDRM and the EC to ensure the by-elections proceed smoothly without incidents that could jeopardize public order.
The electoral roll for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections lists a total of 48,722 voters, comprising 48,526 ordinary voters and 196 police personnel and their spouses registered as early voters. A total of 36 ordinary polling centers, involving 117 polling channels, and one early polling center with a single polling channel will be utilized.