Kota Kinabalu (Dec 16) - Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is not expected to field a candidate for the Lamag state seat in the upcoming by-elections, according to Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
Speaking to reporters after the second day of the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today, Hajiji said the issue would still be deliberated within the GRS leadership. However, he indicated that the coalition was inclined to step aside out of respect for the party that previously secured the seat.
He explained that the seat was won by a party that is part of the current Sabah state government, adding that GRS was likely to give way. “We will discuss this within GRS, but most likely we will not contest. We will respect the party that won the seat,” he said.
In the 17th state election held last month, Barisan Nasional (BN) captured the Lamag seat through the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who was also the Member of Parliament for Kinabatangan. Bung Moktar passed away on Dec 5.
Hajiji said GRS would instead channel its efforts into supporting BN to secure victory in the by-elections. “We will give way and help them win the by-election,” he said.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Jan 24 as polling day for both the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections. Following a special meeting in Putrajaya on Tuesday, EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun announced that nomination day will be held on Jan 10, while early voting is scheduled for Jan 20.
When asked whether the same approach would apply to both by-elections, Hajiji said the matter would be discussed with Umno president and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. “That is what we need to discuss, but in principle, we will give way,” he added.