The people’s picks: Naim (first row, second from left) and Miha (in blue shirt) won the Kinabatangan and Lamag seats respectively. — Bernama
KINABATANGAN: Newly elected Kinabatangan MP Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar has pledged to deliver his promises to his constituents following a super-majority of 14,214 votes to keep the seat held by his late father, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
“This mandate comes with a very heavy responsibility,” he said.
Naim, who had campaigned on a 10-point manifesto for the Kinabatangan district, said he would work with the people here.
He hoped to put in place his plans to help in the socio-economic development of the state’s largest district.
“I will fulfil my responsibilities to the constituency to honour the trust placed in me by the people,” said the soft-spoken Naim after the results were announced late on Saturday.
Naim obtained 19,852 votes for Barisan to defeat Warisan candidate Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, who got 5,638 votes, while independent Goldam Hamid received 746 votes.
The dual by-elections on Saturday were held following the death of its incumbent Sabah Barisan strongman Bung Moktar on Dec 5 at the age of 66.
Bung Moktar had previously retained the Kinabatangan seat with a majority of 4,330 votes, besides keeping the Lamag with a majority of 153 votes.
Barisan’s Mohd Ismail Ayob @ Miha also won the Lamag state seat with a 5,681-vote majority after he garnered 7,269 votes to defeat Warisan’s Mazliwati Abdul Malek, who picked up 1,588 votes.
Miha pledged to serve his constituents and urged everyone to unite for the betterment of the people.
The two seats retained by Barisan mean it is status quo in Parliament and the state assembly.
Political observers in Kinabatangan described the two wins as “expected” but were surprised with the large majorities won by the candidates.
They believed that Bung Moktar’s nearly three-decade presence in Kinabatangan was a strong factor for Naim and Miha’s outstanding victories, coupled with the support of their state unity government partners Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
“Warisan just had no chance. They had no grassroots base in Kinabatangan,” said an observer in explaining how Bung Moktar’s legacy had factored into the voters’ decision.
Sabah Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the victory of the unity government’s candidates reflected the people’s trust in stable, integrity-based and responsible leadership.
He said the success also symbolised the unity and maturity of political cooperation, as well as the people’s confidence in the direction of development in Sabah.
“When leaders unite, the people will place their trust in Naim and Miha. This trust must be carried out with full responsibility and commitment to ensure that Kinabatangan and Lamag remain strengthened and developed continuously,” he said in a Facebook post.
