KUALA LUMPUR: The son of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Naim Kurniawan was announced as Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election scheduled for January 2026.
The matter was confirmed by Umno Supreme Council Member Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan on his Facebook page.
"The Barisan candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency was announced by party chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, at the Barisan Nasional Dinner at the Premiera Hotel, namely Naim Kurniawan Moktar.
"I am confident that he will be well received by the people there," he said on Friday (Dec 19) night.
Naim Kurniawan, when contacted by Bernama, said he accepted the trust and confidence given by the Umno and Barisan leadership to continue the party's legacy in the Kinabatangan constituency.
"I accept this trust well, even though I know it is not easy.
"However, I am ready to fulfill this trust in the best possible way so that the voices of the people of Kinabatangan continue to be defended," he said.
Naim Kurniawan said the reception he received so far from the Umno leadership and members at the grassroots level was very good.
The Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state seats were vacated following the death of Bung Moktar, who was also Sabah Barisan chairman, on Dec 5.
The Election Commission has set polling day for the by-elections on Jan 24, with nomination day and early voting scheduled for Jan 10 and 20, respectively.
In the Sabah state election on Nov 29, Bung Moktar defended the Lamag seat with a majority of 153 votes in a six-cornered contest. —Bernama
