GRS to Discuss Participation in Kinabatangan and Lamag By-elections

16 December 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will hold internal discussions to determine whether it will contest the simultaneous by-elections for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the Lamag State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat, scheduled for 24 January.

Chief Minister and GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said that a decision on the matter has yet to be finalised and remains under consideration within the coalition.

“That is what we will be discussing. No decision has been made so far, but in principle we are prepared to give way,” he said.

He stressed that any final decision would be based on consultations and consensus among all coalition partners, taking into account the interests of the people and the need to maintain stability in the state administration.

“At this stage, it is likely that we will not contest. We will show respect and give way to the party that won previously, as they are currently part of the State Government.

“We are ready to give way and to assist our partner party to ensure victory in the by-elections,” he told reporters after attending the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.

However, Hajiji emphasised that discussions are still ongoing, as several issues need to be deliberated within the coalition before a final decision is reached.

“I will be discussing this further with the UMNO President and the Barisan Nasional Chairman,” he said, referring to continued negotiations regarding the by-elections.

The Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the Lamag DUN seat became vacant following the recent passing of their incumbent, the late Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin.