Kota kinabalu: A total of 926 police officers and personnel have been deployed in Sabah to ensure the smooth conduct of the Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections. Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun stated that all officers and personnel would be stationed on the ground throughout the by-election period to safeguard the democratic process in the Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency, which comprises three state seats, namely Lamag, Sukau, and Kuamut.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kuamut falls under the administration of the Beluran District Police Headquarters (IPD), while Lamag and Sukau are under the Kinabatangan IPD. However, close coordination is required to ensure there are no disruptions throughout the by-election period. PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) has also received reinforcement from nearby districts, including the Sandakan IPD, Lahad Datu IPD, Semporna IPD, as well as the 15th Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF) in Sandakan.
The Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections were called following the death of their incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin, on December 5 last year. The Election Commission (EC) has set a 14-day campaign period, with the nomination day for both by-elections scheduled for this Saturday. Polling day has been fixed for January 24, while early voting will take place on January 20.
Meanwhile, Jauteh urged all contesting political parties to campaign responsibly and professionally, respect local sensitivities, and refrain from raising issues that could incite tension or disrupt public order during the campaign period. He expressed hope that the community in the affected areas would extend their cooperation to PDRM and the EC to ensure the by-elections proceed smoothly without any incidents that could jeopardize public order.
The electoral roll for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections lists 48,722 voters, comprising 48,526 ordinary voters and 196 police personnel and their spouses registered as early voters. A total of 36 ordinary polling centres, involving 117 polling channels, and one early polling centre with a single polling channel will be used.