BN names Bung Moktar's son as Kinabatangan candidate

BN has named the eldest son of the late Bung Moktar Radin, Naim Kurniawan, to succeed his father as a candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat.

In a Facebook post, Naim, who is also Kinabatangan Umno Youth chief, thanked BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after the announcement during a dinner function in Kuala Lumpur last night.

"Thank you for the trust and mandate in naming me as BN’s candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election.

"This is not merely a party mandate, but one that also carries the responsibility to defend and represent the aspirations of the entire Kinabatangan community," he said.

"How perfect it would have been if my father had witnessed this moment. Yet Allah knows best what is right.

"This expression of condolences and congratulations will be shouldered together, and I will fight for it with all my heart, strength, and sincerity," added Naim.

Bung, a former Sabah Umno chief, had held the Kinabatangan seat since 1999.

The Election Commission has set Jan 24 next year for the twin by-elections in Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state seats, the latter defended by Bung in the recent Sabah election.

BN has yet to announce its candidate for Lamag.

Bung, 66, died on Dec 5 in Kota Kinabalu, five days after the state election, following kidney and lung complications.

Umno AGM

Separately, Zahid today said the candidate for Lamag will be finalised from among "several candidates" being negotiated, and to be announced by Bung's successor as Sabah Umno chief, Jafry Ariffin.

Speaking to reporters in Sabak Bernam, Zahid noted that Umno will be holding its annual general assembly from Jan 14 to Jan 16, coinciding with campaigns for the twin by-election.

"I have requested that delegates from Sabah assist with the by-elections in Kinabatangan and Lamag.

"However, if they have already purchased tickets and booked accommodation, we will not prevent them from attending the general assembly," said the Umno president.

He added that the January gathering will be held for the 2025 edition, which has been postponed, while a second annual general assembly for next year is scheduled towards year-end.

‘Best approach is to negotiate’

Quizzed on BN's confidence to defend Kinabatangan, the coalition’s chairperson noted Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor's indication that his GRS coalition will not be fielding a candidate, as well as a previous announcement by PN.

"So perhaps the best approach is to negotiate. Moreover, the 16th general election may be less than two years away, so I think it’s better to conserve our energy," he said.

Zahid, however, stressed that BN should not take for granted its chances at defending the seat.

"We don’t know. There may be independent candidates who come forward, or smaller parties in Sabah that decide to contest.

"But ideally, we should give Naim the opportunity to win, as he is merely completing the remainder of the service term of the late Bung," he said.

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