Kinabatangan (Jan 24) - Barisan Nasional candidate Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar has successfully held on to the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat, continuing the political legacy of his late father, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
The 32-year-old secured a commanding victory after polling 19,852 votes, giving him a large majority of 14,214. Voter turnout for the Kinabatangan by-election stood at 55.06 per cent, reflecting moderate participation among eligible voters.
Mohd Kurniawan Naim defeated former Sukau state assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, who obtained 5,638 votes. An independent candidate, Goldam Hamid, finished third with 946 votes.
The by-election was called following the death of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Bung Moktar Radin, on Dec 5 last year, leaving the Kinabatangan seat vacant.
During the 15th General Election, the late Bung Moktar successfully defended the Kinabatangan seat with a majority of 4,330 votes against Warisan candidate Mazliwati Abdullah Malek.
For Sabahans, particularly those living in Kinabatangan and surrounding areas, the result ensures continuity in parliamentary representation and political direction. The outcome is expected to influence how local development priorities, infrastructure needs and community concerns from Sabah’s east coast are represented at the federal level.