Barisan Nasional (BN) is considering nominating Naim Kurniawan, the son of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, as its candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election scheduled for January next year, said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president, said the proposal has yet to be tabled at the Umno and BN supreme council meetings. However, he noted that Bung Moktar had previously expressed his wish for his son to be given the opportunity to contest the seat.
He added that feedback from voters in Kinabatangan regarding Naim Kurniawan has been encouraging.
“Nevertheless, I still need to hold discussions with party leaders as well as our partners in the Sabah state government,” Ahmad Zahid told reporters after officiating the Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM) convocation ceremony here today.
Ahmad Zahid also welcomed remarks by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who reportedly said that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which he leads, may not contest the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections.
Both seats were vacated following the death of Bung Moktar, who was also Sabah BN chairman, on Dec 5.
The Election Commission has fixed polling day for Jan 24, with nomination day on Jan 10 and early voting on Jan 20.
In the Sabah state election held on Nov 29, Bung Moktar successfully defended the Lamag seat with a slim majority of 153 votes in a six-cornered contest.
