KINABATANGAN: Two days into the official campaigning for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state seats, the anticipated election excitement has yet to materialise, with the absence of party flags and colours being particularly noticeable.
A check at the main polling centre and vicinity yesterday saw no banners, flags or campaign material from any of the contesting parties, despite nominations having been held on Saturday.
Typically, parties immediately put up party flags, posters and other paraphernalia after nominations to signal the start of the contest.
Instead, the only prominent visuals around town are billboards bearing the image of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, put up for the Nov 29 Sabah state elections.
The subdued atmosphere aside, Barisan Nasional’s Kinabatangan candidate Naim Kurniawan Moktar has been active on his own since the start of campaigning.
The son of Bung Moktar launched his BN P187 Kinabatangan campaign machinery immediately after nominations at the Dewan Sri Lamag, going on a walkabout at the Sukau tamu market and then playing futsal with youths in Kampung Sukau.
His programme yesterday included visits to island and riverine communities in Tanjung Aru, Kampung Sri Ganda, Kampung Tundun Bohangin and Abai.
Barisan’s Lamag candidate, Mohd Ismail Ayob, and the Warisan candidate there, Mazliwati Abdul Malek Chua, have yet to provide details of their campaign activities.
Warisan’s Kinabatangan candidate Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman is said to have attended a campaign-related event in the afternoon, while there are no details on Independent candidate Goldam Hamid’s campaign schedule.
The lack of “visibility” has not gone unnoticed among voters.
A Lamag youth, Akmal Hakim, 25, said the election heat had yet to begin.
“I was expecting people to start talking about the election weeks before, but that’s not been the case. Now, after nominations, there are still no vibes.
“I think this lack of election vibe will discourage people from going out to vote,” he added.
Candidates have 12 more days to campaign, with polling for both by-elections scheduled for Jan 24.
