KOTA KINABALU, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described the passing of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as a great loss not only to Barisan Nasional (BN) and Sabah UMNO, but also to the country’s national leadership.
He said the Sabah BN chairman was a close ally of the party leadership and a key figure who played a major role in revitalising UMNO in the state after the political landscape shifted in 2018.
“My colleagues in UMNO and BN, and I, are deeply saddened by the passing of Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, a friend and one of our national UMNO leaders, especially for Sabah. We feel his loss profoundly.
“I ask that his family remain calm, accept Allah’s will with patience, and may we all pray that his soul will be placed among the righteous, Insya-Allah,” he told reporters after the funeral prayers at the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque here today.
Reflecting on Bung Moktar’s role in the party, Ahmad Zahid, who is BN chairman and UMNO president, said the late leader’s contributions were significant, particularly as Sabah UMNO navigated challenges following the 2018 general election.
“In that year, he was one of only three out of 25 UMNO division chiefs who remained with the party and helped revive UMNO. He was a driving force behind the resurgence of UMNO and BN in Sabah.
“I am very grateful for his service in leading Sabah UMNO, and I hope his colleagues will continue his legacy. Insya-Allah, Sabah UMNO will remain relevant in the state’s political landscape,” he said.
Bung Moktar, 66, died at a private hospital here at 1.46 am today, and his passing was confirmed by his son, Naim Kurniawan Moktar.
His remains were taken to the family home in Luyang before funeral prayers were performed at the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, followed by burial at the Kampung Likas Cemetery after Friday prayers.
Bung Moktar, who was also Kinabatangan MP, retained the Lamag seat in the 17th Sabah state election on Nov 29.
-- BERNAMA
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