SANDAKAN, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) is confident of retaining the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat, and the Lamag state seat, in the by-elections scheduled for Jan 24.
BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the confidence stems from the party’s ongoing campaign efforts, which have also received support from parties in the Sabah government, led by Chief Minister and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
“In terms of preparations, the campaign is progressing well, and the cooperation shown reflects the strong understanding built following the formation of the Sabah state government.
“He (Hajiji) has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that these seats continue to be held by BN candidates, both at the parliamentary and state levels,” he told reporters, after visiting the Politeknik Sandakan new dormitory project site, here, today.
Also present was the state BN chairman, who is also the Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
Zambry, who is also the Minister of Higher Education, said the development legacy left by former Sabah BN chairman, the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, in Kinabatangan, particularly in education and rural development, will continue to be upheld.
The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election will see a three-cornered contest, involving Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (BN), Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and independent candidate Goldam Hamid, while the Lamag state by-election will feature a straight fight between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).
The by-elections are being held following the death of Bung Moktar, 66, on Dec 5 last year.
The Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections involve a total of 48,722 registered voters, comprising 48,526 ordinary voters and 196 police personnel and their spouses as early voters.
A total of 36 ordinary polling centres with 117 channels, and one early polling centre with one channel will be used.
The Election Commission has set the polling day for both by-elections on Jan 24, while early voting is on Jan 20.
-- BERNAMA
