Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak praised Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) decision to sit out the recent by-elections, calling it a key reason for Barisan Nasional’s strong wins in Lamag and Kinabatangan.
GRS’s Strategic Withdrawal
In a Facebook post, Salleh Said Keruak highlighted that GRS’s choice not to field candidates prevented vote splitting among aligned supporters.
This move allowed like-minded voters to rally behind a single Barisan Nasional candidate in each contest, he added.
Solid Majorities Secured
Barisan Nasional retained both seats with convincing majorities on Saturday.
In Lamag, Barisan Nasional’s Ismail Ayob defeated Warisan’s Mazliwati Abdul Malek in a straight fight, winning by 5,681 votes.
For the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat, Naim Kurniawan Moktar – son of the late Bung Moktar Radin – held the seat in a three-cornered race, securing a 14,214-vote majority.
Respect and Cooperation Cited
In December, GRS chairman Hajiji Noor indicated the coalition would step aside for Barisan Nasional out of respect for the previous winners of these seats.
Hajiji emphasised that GRS would instead focus on backing Barisan Nasional to ensure success in the polls.
Salleh Said Keruak pointed to the strong partnership between Barisan Nasional and GRS as another factor behind the victories.
He noted that voter sentiment was also shaped by sympathy and appreciation for Bung Moktar Radin’s long-standing contributions.
Factors Behind the Success
Salleh Said Keruak credited the careful selection of suitable candidates for boosting voter confidence.
He stressed the importance of a robust, well-coordinated party machinery at the grassroots level, which helped deliver an effective campaign.
“Overall, this victory shows that mature political cooperation, the right candidate, and efficient party machinery are keys to success,” he said.
Naim Kurniawan Moktar also expressed thanks to the GRS machinery for its support following his win.
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