KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party’s victories in today’s Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections reflected the people’s confidence in leadership continuity and the stability expected for the constituencies.
In a Facebook post, the Deputy Prime Minister said the mandate given by the electorate was a significant trust that must be carried with full responsibility, continuing the service legacy of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who had prioritised Kinabatangan and Lamag throughout his life.
Zahid also expressed his gratitude to the entire BN machinery and partners in the Sabah state government for their dedication and cooperation in ensuring the victories.
“The wins of Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar in the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and Mohd Ismail Ayob in the Lamag state seat are a tremendous trust to continue the service legacy of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who made Kinabatangan and Lamag central to his lifelong struggle,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the victories of the unity government candidates reflected the people’s trust in leadership that is stable, principled, and responsible.
Arthur, who is also Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister and president of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), said the success also symbolised unity in leadership, the maturity of political cooperation, and the people’s confidence in stability and the direction of development in Sabah.
He praised the commitment of the entire Sabah unity government machinery for their dedication throughout the campaign period.
“These victories symbolise unity in leadership, the maturity of political cooperation, and the people’s confidence in the stability and development trajectory of Sabah. When leaders are united, the people place their trust in them.
“To Kurniawan Naim and Mohd Ismail, the trust given must be shouldered with full responsibility and utmost commitment to ensure Kinabatangan and Lamag continue to be protected, empowered, and developed sustainably,” he said in a Facebook post.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the BN candidates’ wins demonstrated the effectiveness of the party machinery, which was mobilised comprehensively and in a coordinated manner.
He said the tireless commitment of BN personnel, as well as the leadership of Sabah Umno under its chairman Datuk Jafry Ariffin, played a crucial role in securing the victories.
“Congratulations to Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, elected as the Member of Parliament for Kinabatangan, and Mohd Ismail Ayob, officially chosen as the Lamag assemblyman. Best wishes in serving the people and carrying their trust with full responsibility, while continuing the great leadership legacy of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin,” he said.
Kurniawan Naim retained the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat held by his father since 1999, securing a majority of 14,214 votes, defeating Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and independent candidate Goldam Hamid.
Meanwhile, Ismail held the Lamag state seat for BN with a majority of 5,681 votes, defeating Warisan candidate Mazliwati Abdul Malek.
The by-elections were held following the death of the incumbent Bung Moktar, 66, on Dec 5 last year.
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