Former Sabah BN Chairman Bung Moktar Radin Passes Away at 66

The political landscape of Sabah has been shaken by the death of Bung Moktar Radin, the former deputy chief minister and state chairman of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, who passed away at the age of 66. His demise occurred just days after he guided BN through the 17th Sabah state election, maintaining his Lamag seat. His son, Naim Kurniawan Moktar, shared the news on Facebook, noting his father's death early Friday morning at 1:46 AM following a battle with a severe lung infection, compounded by kidney complications.

Bung Moktar's tenure as Sabah's deputy chief minister spanned from September 2020 to January 2023, during which he also held the position of works minister in the state. He represented the Kinabatangan constituency in Parliament, a seat he has held since first winning it in 1999 across six consecutive terms. Renowned for his straightforward approach in both state and federal politics, Bung Moktar was integral in stabilizing BN’s presence in Sabah, particularly after the coalition’s near-collapse following the 2018 General Election amid the 1MDB scandal.

In the 2020 election, Bung's BN formed an alliance with Hajiji Noor, who was leading the Sabah chapter of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), and successfully reversed the Warisan-led government of Shafie Apdal, thus bringing UMNO back to power in the state. The resulting coalition elevated Bung Moktar to the deputy chief minister’s role. However, he later withdrew BN from the state government amid political strife with Hajiji, a calculated move deemed a challenge to Hajiji’s administration. Despite the tensions, Hajiji’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration remained unchanged, resulting in Bung's removal from the state Cabinet.

Bung Moktar’s influence reached beyond mere political strategies. He is celebrated for reviving the Sabah chapter of UMNO post-exodus of senior leaders, fortifying the coalition’s influence and ensuring BN’s sustained relevance. Prior to the recent election, he advocated for youth initiatives and distinct political strategies, asserting BN's divergence from GRS due to their “nightmare history.”

Following Bung Moktar’s death, tributes acknowledged his significant political footprint. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim honored him as a resolute and principled leader, whose commitment to the people of Sabah and Malaysia will be remembered. BN chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed deep sorrow, calling Bung a steadfast friend and ally. Both Warisan president Shafie Apdal and Sabah UMNO leader Salleh Said Keruak commended Bung’s extensive contributions to Sabah’s political sphere and his lasting impact on the state’s development.

Bung Moktar Radin’s legacy in Sabah’s political narrative is notable, marked by resilience, leadership, and dedication to public service. His substantial contributions to both state and national politics, particularly in rejuvenating BN in Sabah and influencing state governance, will be fondly remembered by colleagues, constituents, and observers alike.