Kinabatangan Candidate Chosen Not Just For Symbolism

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Kinabatangan Umno Youth chief Naim Kurniawan Moktar fulfils three vital prerequisites to be BN’s candidate for the Kinabatangan by-election, which was sparked after the parliamentary seat fell vacant following his father Bung Moktar Radin’s death on Dec 5.
Sabah Umno liaison committee chairperson Jafry Ariffin listed the three prerequisites as organisation legitimacy, grassroots acceptance and the ability to carry the voters’ mandate.
He stressed that Naim’s fulfilment of the prerequisites was important as continuity of leadership within the framework of political science did not revolve around blood relations only.
“He was chosen on considerations of party institution, grassroots support and carries the continued struggle translated through service and not mere symbolism.
“The Kinabatangan by-election isn’t an individual test, but a test of political institutional stability, voters’ trust and BN’s ability to retain a development mandate in a chllenging and strategic area,” Jafry said in a statement yesterday.
Sabah Umno chief Jafry AriffinThe Sabah tourism, culture and environment minister added that the party state chapter welcomed the step and it would stand strong, united and focused to ensure the voices of Kinabatangan residents are championed in a principled manner.
BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed Naim as the coalition’s candidate for the Kinabatangan by-election yesterday.
Bung also won Lamag during the recent Sabah polls on Nov 29, but BN has yet to announce its candidate for the state seat.
The Election Commission set Jan 24 as the polling day for the twin by-election, with nominations on Jan 10 and 20 for early voting.
- Bernama

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