The twin Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections will see a three-cornered contest for the parliament seat, and a straight fight for the state seat as nominations close today.

In Kinabatangan, BN’s Naim Kurniawan Moktar, son of the late Bung Moktar Radin, will be going up against Warisan’s Saddi Abdul Rahman and independent candidate, lawyer Goldam Hamid (above).

Meanwhile, in Lamag, one of the three state seats under the Kinabatangan parliament, BN’s Ismail Ayob will be facing off with Warisan supreme council member Mazliwati Abdul Malek.

Ismail Ayob (left) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek

Bernama reported that returning officer Eddy Syaizul Rizam Abdullah announced the closure of the nomination centre at Dewan Sri Lamag at 10am, one hour after it opened.

Earlier, supporters of the contesting candidates arrived at the nomination centre as early as 6.30am, with fine weather prevailing throughout the process.

BN’s Naim and Ismail arrived at 8.10am, accompanied by Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan, and Sabah BN chairperson Jafry Ariffin.

Also present was Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, who yesterday sparked speculations over his purported intention to quit the party.

Meanwhile, Warisan's candidates Saddi and Mazliwati arrived at 8.59am, escorted by vice-president Jaujan Sambakong, supporters, and nominators.

According to Bernama, independent candidate Goldam was the earliest to have arrived at 7.17am, accompanied by his supporters and nominators.

Bung’s demise

The Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections were called following Bung’s death on Dec 5 last year.

Bung, 66, had held both seats, having retained Kinabatangan in the 15th general election with a 4,330-vote majority, defeating Warisan’s Mazliwati.

Bung Moktar Radin

The former Sabah BN chairperson also defended the Lamag state seat with a 153-vote majority in a six-cornered contest in the 17th Sabah state election on Nov 29 last year.

The Election Commission has scheduled polling for Jan 24, with early voting on Jan 20. A total of 48,722 registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots, comprising 48,526 ordinary voters and 196 police personnel and their spouses.

Voting will take place across 36 polling centres with 117 streams and one early voting centre.

Warisan confirms contests in Kinabatangan, Lamag by-elections

Warisan confirms contests in Kinabatangan, Lamag by-elections

Sabah BN names late Bung's closest challenger as Lamag candidate

Sabah BN names late Bung's closest challenger as Lamag candidate

'Kinabatangan candidate chosen not just for symbolism'

'Kinabatangan candidate chosen not just for symbolism'

BN names Bung Moktar's son as Kinabatangan candidate

BN names Bung Moktar's son as Kinabatangan candidate