Cooperation and Support contribute to Lamag victory

28 January 2026

KINABATANGAN: Support from government partners, including Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), for the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, as well as their joint participation in campaigning during the recent Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election and the Lamag State Legislative Assembly (DUN) by-election, has demonstrated a strong spirit of friendship among coalition partners.

Lamag State Assemblyman, Mohd Ismail Ayob, also known as Miha, said the momentum shown during the campaigns indicated that the unity government led by GRS would also be capable of winning the 18th Sabah State Election in the future.

“Without doubt, our campaign machinery played a very important role in the recent Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag DUN by-elections,” he said.

“I am deeply grateful for the assistance and support of all parties in ensuring that we were able to retain the seat previously won by the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin of Barisan Nasional,” he added.

Miha made the remarks in a media statement issued here on Wednesday.

In the by-election held last Saturday, Miha successfully defended the BN seat for the Lamag State Constituency , winning by a majority of 5,681 votes against Warisan candidate Mazliwati Abdul Malek.

In the Sabah State Election held on 29 November, Miha, who contested as an independent candidate at the time, lost to the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. The Lamag DUN by-election was subsequently held following Bung Moktar’s passing on 5 December.

Meanwhile, BN candidate Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, who contested the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat, also succeeded in retaining the seat previously held by his father, securing 19,852 votes to defeat two candidates, Warisan Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman and independent candidate Goldam Hamid.

Miha said the “friendship” between BN and its government partners, including GRS and others, reflected a very positive political momentum.

During the previous Sabah state election, BN and its current government partners did not contest as a coalition. However, following the election, they became allies in government and worked together to form a unity administration.

Also supporting the unity government are the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO), the Democratic Community Welfare Party (KDM), as well as five independent assemblymen.

Miha is expected to be sworn in as the Lamag State Assemblyman next week after winning the by-election held on 24 January.