Pulau pangkor: Barisan Nasional (BN) is in the process of identifying candidates for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the Lamag state seat in Sabah, which were previously held by the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, according to its secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, preliminary discussions have taken place with the top leadership of Sabah BN to ensure victories are retained in both constituencies. Dr Zambry emphasized that Sabah BN has the autonomy to select candidates and will communicate their decisions to BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi once finalized. These remarks were made during the Handing Over Ceremony of Resettlement Houses for Fishermen at the Teluk Gadung Open Arena, Pulau Pangkor.

The Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to hold a special meeting on December 16 to deliberate on the by-elections for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state seats following Bung Moktar's passing on December 5. At the 17th Sabah state election on November 29, Bung Moktar successfully retained the Lamag seat with a narrow majority of 153 votes in a competitive six-cornered contest.

Bung Moktar's political career at the national level began when he was elected as the Kinabatangan MP in the 10th General Election in November 1999. He continued to serve in this capacity for six consecutive terms, demonstrating his longstanding influence and leadership in the region.