EC TO MEET ON DEC 16 TO DETERMINE KEY DATES FOR KINABATANGAN, LAMAG BY-ELECTIONS 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The Election Commission (EC) will hold a special meeting to determine the key dates for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections on Dec 16.

EC secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said it has received official notifications from Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul and Sabah State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya regarding the unexpected vacancies for both seats following the death of the incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin on Dec 5.

He said this is in accordance with Article 54(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 21(5) of the Sabah State Constitution, which requires that the vacancies for those seats must be filled within 60 days from the date of the notification.

"The special meeting, to be chaired by EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, will finalise important dates for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election and the Lamag state by-election, including the issuance of the election writ, nomination day, polling day, the electoral rolls to be used as well as preparations,” he said in a statement today.

He said a press conference will be held immediately after the special meeting.

Bung Moktar passed away at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu at 1.46 am on Dec 5 - less than a week after being elected as the Lamag state assemblyman for a second term. He was 66.

In the 17th Sabah State Election on Nov 29, Bung Moktar, who was also Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman, defended his Lamag state seat with a majority of 153 votes in a six-cornered fight.

In the national political arena, Bung Moktar began as the Kinabatangan Member of Parliament after winning the seat at the 10th General Election in November 1999, before continuing to serve for six consecutive terms.

Earlier, Johari said in today's statement that he had issued a notification to the EC regarding Bung Moktar's demise.

"On behalf of the Malaysian Parliament, I would like to express our condolences to the entire family of Bung Moktar and pray that his soul is blessed and placed among the righteous,” he said.

-- BERNAMA