KINABATANGAN: Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, 32, who retained the traditional Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold of Kinabatangan in today’s parliamentary by-election, expressed his gratitude to voters for electing him as their new Member of Parliament.
The Kinabatangan Umno Youth chief described the mandate as a huge responsibility and reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his promise to develop the constituency.
He also thanked BN chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, for their support in securing his victory.
“Thank you to my mother, the entire BN and party machinery in the Sabah unity government, and especially to the community of Kinabatangan who celebrated our democracy today. This mandate is a huge responsibility, and I promise to serve the people well, InsyaAllah,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Mohd Ismail Ayob, 44, described his Lamag state seat win as a mandate to represent the residents and continue his work with non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“Thank you to all Lamag residents, both supporters and non-supporters. Let us hope that with today’s election concluded, we can strengthen our ties and make Lamag a place for unity,” he said.
Kurniawan Naim secured a commanding majority of 14,214 votes, defeating Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman of Parti Warisan and independent candidate Goldam Hamid to retain the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat. Ismail won the Lamag state seat with a majority of 5,681 votes against Mazliwati Abdul Malek of Warisan.
The by-elections were held following the death of incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin on Dec 5 last year, at the age of 66. — BERNAMA
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