KINABATANGAN: Whether Kinabatangan will remain a true-blue Barisan Nasional stronghold following the passing of its political strongman, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, will be decided today as 48,526 eligible voters head for polling booths across the state’s largest parliamentary seat.
The late lawmaker’s son, Mohd Naim Kurniawan is the coalition’s flag bearer and is being challenged by Warisan candidate Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman and Independent Goldam Hamid.
The seat had been held by Bung Moktar for nearly three decades, since 1999.
A total of 13,703 voters in the constituency will also make their decision on Mohd Ismail Ayob@Miha of Barisan or Warisan’s Mazliwati Abdul Malek for the state seat of Lamag in the dual by-elections held following the death of Bung Moktar on Dec 5.
Although the two-week campaign period was relatively quiet, the calm belies strong undercurrents, with local and national parties vying for what is seen as the last Barisan-Umno bastion in Sabah.
Amid development and socio-economic problems, the by-election has largely come down to a contest between traditional loyalty to Barisan and a growing inclination to support local parties.
Local political observers said it was difficult to get a pulse on the voting patterns this round as ground sentiments are torn between loyalty and state rights.
Observers said it was more difficult to read the mood among Gabungan Rakyat Sabah parties’ members and its partners, especially after a tense battle between them in the last state polls.
Although party leaders have since reconciled under the current state government, observers said tensions at the grassroots level in Kinabatangan have yet to fully subside, making the political landscape harder to interpret.
Independent candidate Goldam, who was not visible throughout the campaign aside from posters put up in his hometown of Tongod, could potentially benefit if GRS grassroots supporters are disinclined to back either Barisan or Warisan, they said.
A total of 36 polling centres, comprising 117 polling stations, will be open from 7.30am to 5.30pm with 25 of the centres – located in remote areas closing between noon and 5pm today.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has deployed helicopter services to deliver ballot boxes to three polling centres – SK Kuamut, SK Inarad and SK Abai – as part of final preparations ahead of polling day for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag by-elections.
Returning officer Eddy Syaizul Rizam Abdullah said the use of helicopters took into account geographical factors, including the vast size of the Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency and the remoteness of several inland polling centres.
He said preparations for polling day have been proceeding smoothly, adding that the official vote-tallying centre will begin operations from 5pm, with full results expected as early as 10pm.
