COMMUNITY REMEMBERS BUNG MOKTAR’S LEGACY AT TAHLIL CEREMONY IN KINABATANGAN

KINABATANGAN, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- A sombre atmosphere filled the Kinabatangan District Mosque here tonight during a tahlil and Yasin recitation ceremony held in honour of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

Attended by hundreds of residents from various parts of Kinabatangan, the ceremony was also graced by family members, including his son, Mohd Kurniawan Naim, 32, as well as local community leaders.

A resident of Kampung Lamag, Abdul Manan Jumat, 62, said Bung Moktar’s passing had left a deep impact not only on his family, but also on the wider community, which had benefited from his leadership.

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He said the late leader’s services and contributions were difficult to express in words, but their impact continued to be felt today, through the facilities and infrastructure enjoyed by the local community.

“As a native of Kampung Lamag, I truly feel his loss. His contributions are beyond words. What we enjoy today, including this well-equipped mosque, is the result of his contributions … and that cannot be denied,” he said.

Echoing the sentiment, a resident from Sukau, Muhammad Rahmad Ahmad, 42, described the development in Kinabatangan since 1999 as clear evidence of the legacy left behind by Bung Moktar, with stark improvements seen in basic amenities, education and public infrastructure compared with the past, reflecting a leader’s concern for the fundamental needs of the rural community.

Meanwhile, Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment and Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Jafry Ariffin, who was also present, said the large turnout reflected the community’s appreciation for the late leader’s contributions in developing Kinabatangan, including the Lamag state constituency.

He said significant changes were evident in the area, including an increase in the number of schools and the establishment of a bank, hospital and fire station as a result of Bung Moktar’s efforts, while expressing his hope that this development legacy and service would be continued by future leadership.

Bung Moktar, 66, died at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu on Dec 5 last year, prompting by-elections for the Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency and the Lamag state constituency to be called.

The Kinabatangan by-election will see a three-cornered contest between Bung Moktar’s son, Mohd Kurniawan Naim (BN), Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and Goldam Hamid (Independent), while the Lamag state by-election will be a straight fight between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).

Polling has been fixed for Jan 24, with early voting scheduled for Jan 20.

-- BERNAMA