Sabah faces political uncertainty after death of divisive leader Bung Moktar

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is entering a politically delicate moment following the death of former Sabah deputy chief minister Bung Moktar Radin, raising questions over the vacancy of his long-held Kinabatangan parliamentary seat.

The Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman died at age 66, just days after the coalition contested the state election and formed the state government with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah. His son Naim Kurniawan Moktar announced on Facebook that his father had died at 1.46am on Dec 5 after succumbing to complications from a severe lung infection and kidney failure.

Bung Moktar was one of the state’s most recognisable, and at times polarising, political figures. He frequently drew public scrutiny over his outspoken style, including in 2018 when a vulgar remark in Parliament sparked widespread backlash and went viral.

Should his seats be contested, it will be a bellwether for BN’s fortunes in Sabah following the coalition’s underwhelming performance in the recent state polls.

A loss would deal a significant blow to BN’s efforts to rebuild in East Malaysia and could signal trouble for the unity government’s cohesion ahead of the next general election.

“Bung was obviously a rather controversial figure in both Sabah and national politics,” political analyst Oh Ei Sun told The Straits Times.

“He understood the nuts and bolts of how rural politics works, and he was never shy about voicing his concerns in Parliament.”

Under Article 54 of the Federal Constitution, if a vacancy arises in Parliament, it should be filled within 60 days from the date it is declared vacant by the Election Commission (EC).

However, if a vacancy arises at a date which is less than two years from the date on which Parliament’s five-year mandate is expiring, no by-election is required.

The last general election was held on Nov 19, 2022, and the current parliamentary term is set to end by Dec 19, 2027.

However, even if there is less than two years to go before a general election, an election should be held if the Parliamentary Speaker notifies the EC that the numerical strength of the ruling party or coalition is affected due to the vacancy.

As Bung died a few days before the cut-off for a by-election not to be held, there will be a parliamentary by-election for his Kinabatangan seat, said Dr Oh.

Bung Moktar also held the Lamag state seat, which he retained in the Sabah state election on Nov 29, just days before his death.

“For the state seat, apparently there could be a by-election, or the first runner-up could be declared the winner, depending on how the state Constitution and election rules are interpreted,” Dr Oh suggested.

He noted that Bung Moktar had not yet been sworn in before the Sabah Speaker.

The EC has the authority to determine whether Lamag should proceed with a by-election or whether the runner-up should be declared the winner, he said.

Details about Bung Moktar’s final weeks reveal that he had been extremely unwell during the campaign period but chose to remain engaged with supporters. He had reportedly fallen ill on Nomination Day on Nov 15.

“During the campaign, he was already very weak and did not campaign actively, but in his own way, he still tried to contribute and stay in touch with the people whenever he could. He knew he was ill. He was a fighter,” former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak, who is also Sabah UMNO treasurer, told ST.

Bung Moktar remained a polarising figure: admired for his loyalty and decisiveness, yet criticised for allegedly cultivating opaque patronage networks.

A Sabah businessman, Mr James Wong, 52, told ST: “Bung Moktar had a strong personality and a bold, straightforward style... and did not necessarily follow the federal government’s wishes.”

“In his earlier years, he did provide support to his constituency, but at the same time, he was also among the politicians who have given some members of the public the impression of corruption and opaque power dealings,” he added.

His death, however, introduces fresh political stakes for BN. Kinabatangan has long been a fortress for the pact, and its importance has risen following BN’s less-than-stellar performance in the recent state elections.

“The seat has been in BN hands since 1974... Losing Kinabatangan would be a big blow to BN’s confidence in rebuilding itself in Sabah,” Mr Amir Fareed Rahim, strategic director at risk consultancy KRA Group, told ST.

“It would be interesting to see whether the (unity government) coalition parties will work together in the defence of this federal seat, which will be an indicator of the working relationship in the next general election.”

Bung Moktar is survived by his two wives – Datin Seri Nor Asidah Alimuddin and former actress Zizie Izette Abdul Samad – and nine children.

He and Zizie were charged in a high-profile RM2.8 million (S$881,000) corruption case over government-owned Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority’s (FELCRA) investment in unit trusts. The court had scheduled proceedings to resume from Jan 12, 2026.