KOTA KINABALU, Dec 5 — The Election Commission (EC) will decide the status of the Lamag State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat following the death of its incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin less than a week after winning the seat in the 17th state election on Saturday (November 29).
Sinar Harian reported former Petagas state assemblyman Datuk James Ligunjang as saying that the situation arose because the late Bung Moktar had not yet been sworn in as an elected representative before the Sabah State Legislative Assembly Speaker.
“In this situation, the Speaker does not have the authority to declare the seat vacant. It falls under the EC’s jurisdiction to determine its status, including whether a by-election is required,” he said when contacted.
Commenting on Bung Moktar’s position as Kinabatangan MP, James said a general election must be held no later than November 20, 2027.
He added that if the remaining term is less than two years, existing laws stipulate that a Parliamentary by-election need not be held. However, this remains subject to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker's decision.
In the recent Sabah state election, Bung Moktar, who was also the Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman, retained the Lamag seat with a majority of 153 votes in a six-cornered contest.
The 66-year-old passed away at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu at 1.46am today.
