KOTA KINABALU: The results of the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections prove that strategic political cooperation between national and local parties can build a significant and effective wave of support, says Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
“Although the opposition (Warisan) attempted to play on sentiments that Barisan is a peninsula-based party, the reality is that Barisan’s cooperation with local parties has formed a stable Sabah state government, thereby increasing public confidence in Barisan,” the Sabah Umno chairman said.
The support of the people for the Barisan candidates — Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar for Kinabatangan and Mohd Ismail Ayob @ Miha for Lamag — proves that the people’s support there remains strong with Barisan, he added.
“This victory is highly meaningful for Umno and Barisan, not only because of the success in defending both seats, but also as a clear benchmark that the people support Barisan,” he said.
He said the close cooperation established within the Sabah unity government will be fully used to defend the people’s interests and to ensure that development agendas in Kinabatangan and Lamag were implemented effectively and continuously.
Jafry, who took over as Sabah Umno chairman following the death of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin last month, thanked voters in Kinabatangan and Lamag for their continued trust in Barisan to represent their voice in Parliament and the Sabah state assembly.
“Sabah Umno, as the backbone of Sabah Barisan, will ensure that both elected representatives entrusted by the people carry out their responsibilities and duties to the best of their ability for the welfare and interests of their respective constituencies,” he added.
He thanked Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the GRS machinery as well as Pakatan Harapan and Upko for their role in ensuring success for Barisan candidates.
Naim retained the Kinabatangan seat for Barisan with a massive 14,214 vote majority in a three-cornered fight against Warisan and an independent candidate while Miha won the Lamag seat with a 5,681 vote majority in a straight fight against Warisan in the dual by-election on Saturday (Jan 24).
The dual by-elections were held following the death of incumbent Sabah Umno strongman Bung Moktar on Dec 5, just six days after retaining the Lamag seat in the Nov 29 Sabah election.
