Sabah BN Leader Bung Moktar Dies at 66 After Illness, Days After Election Victory: A Political Legacy in Malaysia

Sabah Political Veteran Bung Moktar Radin Dies at 66, Days After Election Triumph

Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, the influential Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman and Kinabatangan member of Parliament, has passed away at the age of 66. His demise on December 5, 2026, at 1:46 AM, came just six days after his successful re-election to the Lamag state seat in the Sabah election on November 29. The news was shared by his son, Naim Kurniawan Moktar, in a poignant social media announcement.

A Battle with Illness Amidst Political Triumph

Mr. Bung Moktar's health had been a concern, as he was admitted to a private hospital for a severe lung infection. Despite being discharged after a few days and advised to rest, his commitment to his party and constituents saw him actively engaging in election campaigns for Sabah Barisan candidates. He returned to Kinabatangan to cast his vote on election day before heading back to the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, for the results.

Tragically, his condition worsened with kidney complications, ultimately leading to his passing. Colleagues and family members noted his unwavering dedication, as he continued to monitor election results and meet with party members in the days following the election, even while unwell. Sabah state leaders had paid him visits in the hospital shortly before his death.

A Legacy of Loyalty and Leadership

Bung Moktar's political journey was marked by staunch loyalty to Barisan Nasional and a reputation for his forthright, often controversial, remarks in Parliament. He served six terms as the Kinabatangan MP, first winning the seat in 1999 and even securing it uncontested in 2004.

While largely a national-level backbencher for much of his career, his pivotal role in Sabah's state politics began after the 2018 general elections. When Sabah Barisan-Umno faced significant desertions and decline, Mr. Bung Moktar stepped up, taking the reins of Sabah Umno. He is widely credited with preventing the party's complete collapse in the state, meticulously restructuring it, and leading it to victory in the 2020 Kimanis by-election.

His leadership further solidified in the September 2020 snap state election, where he spearheaded the Sabah Barisan's alliance with Sabah Bersatu, led by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. This alliance successfully unseated the Warisan-led state government, bringing Umno back to power in Sabah.

However, political landscapes shift. Following the 2022 general election, Bung Moktar, then Deputy Chief Minister, experienced a fallout with Datuk Seri Hajiji. He subsequently withdrew Barisan from the state government and remained in opposition to Mr. Hajiji’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), even challenging him unsuccessfully in the most recent election. His passing leaves a significant void in Malaysian and Sabah politics.