KOTA KINABALU: Kinabatangan UMNO Youth Chief, Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar, has made it clear that he does not intend to contest the Lamag state by-election, which was triggered by the passing of his father, the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Tasked with helping to defend Barisan Nasional’s (BN) hold on Lamag in the 17th Sabah State Election, he acknowledged that there has been strong sentiment from various quarters urging him to take over his father’s role.
“I appreciate the support from those who want me to contest, but the selection of candidates is the party’s decision, not a personal one. As a loyal member, I fully respect whatever decision is made.
“Lamag is not just a newly created constituency. It is a ground of struggle built on the hard work and dignity of its people. Since its establishment in 2020, Lamag’s voice must continue to be heard with pride,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Mohd Naim also outlined several criteria for choosing the candidate to contest the Lamag by-election, stating that the individual should be a native of Lamag, below 50 years old, educated, and committed to the party’s cause.
He added that anyone who meets these criteria is welcome to step forward.
Bung Moktar, 66, passed away at a private hospital in Sabah at 1.46am, less than a week after being re-elected as the Lamag assemblyman for a second term.
In the 17th Sabah State Election on 29 November, the BN Sabah Chairman successfully defended the Lamag seat with a majority of 153 votes in a six-cornered contest.
At the national level, the late leader served as Kinabatangan Member of Parliament for six consecutive terms after first winning the seat in the 10th General Election in November 1999.
On Tuesday, Election Commission Secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus announced that a special meeting to discuss matters related to the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections will be held on 16 December.