KOTA KINABALU: The Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections in Sabah will test its unity government parties' ability to work as one on the ground, says Barisan Nasional candidate Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar.
Naim Kurniawan, the Kinabatangan candidate, said that with opposition Parti Warisan fielding candidates for both seats, the coalition's grassroots ability to deliver support would certainly be tested.
"We will see a tough fight here (Kinabatangan and Lamag) because both Warisan candidates are experienced," he said on Tuesday (Jan 6).
Warisan has chosen former Sukau assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman to stand in Kinabatangan.
"I see it as a good test for the Sabah unity government... we will see on the ground if the party members can be together in one house," Naim Kurniawan added.
Warisan has also named its supreme council member Mazliwati Abdul Malek Chua to contest in Lamag, against Barisan's direct candidate Mohd Ismail Ayob @ Miha.
In the 17th Sabah state election on Nov 29, Miha stood as an independent and came in a close second to Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
The by-elections, scheduled for Jan 24, were called following the Dec 5 passing of Bung Moktar, the incumbent in both seats.
Nominations are set for Saturday (Jan 10).
Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking said that Warisan respected the late Bung Moktar, and the party was giving voters a choice to be represented by a local party to bring their voice to the Madani government.
Political observers see Barisan having an edge in both seats, with the sympathy factor playing a part in favour of Naim Kurniawan, the 31-year-old son of the late Bung Moktar.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) political analyst Associate Prof Dr Lee Kuok Tiung agrees that Warisan candidates pushing the local party narrative could pose a threat, but foresees Barisan holding the two seats.
"Barisan’s advantage is voters' emotional support for a candidate or party due to the death of the long-serving Bung Moktar in Kinabatangan. Surely there will also be traditional loyalty and patronage.
"The role of the media, especially social media, if we look at it after Bung Moktar's passing, it is clear that the way it was framed has evoked nostalgia for his good side," he said.
Prof Lee added that any excessive campaigning by the opposition against the late Bung Moktar risked triggering a sympathetic backlash.
"In my observation, Barisan already had the advantage before the start. It's just that during the campaign, they need to avoid giving space to politicians from the peninsula to campaign.
"Let only leaders from the Sabah campaign... there's no need to 'overdo' it," he added.
Sabah UiTM senior lecturer Tony Paridi Bagang also agrees that it would be a test for the fledgling state GRS coalition partners to work together.
He said that based on the results in Lamag recently, the Warisan support base was "narrow and fragmented" as its candidate Mohd Saifulah Lokman lost his deposit, coming fourth in the race against Bung Moktar, Miha and GRS-backed candidate Johainizamshah Johari.
"Moreover, the Barisan candidate benefits from strong personal appeal, reinforced by residual sympathy linked to the legacy of the late Bung Moktar, which continues to shape voter sentiment at the grassroots level," he added.
However, he said that Warisan could mount a strong contest in Kinabatangan, having secured a substantial share of the vote in GE15.
However, he believed that voter sympathy and emotional attachment to Bung Moktar could translate into electoral support for Barisan.
In the Nov 29 polls, Warisan lost all three state seats in the Kinabatangan area, with Lamag and Sukau won by Barisan and Kuamut by GRS.
