Sabah Political Icon Bung Moktar Radin Dies at 66 After Illness, Days After Securing Election Victory in Malaysia

Sabah Loses Political Stalwart: Bung Moktar Radin Dies at 66

The political landscape of Sabah, Malaysia, mourns the passing of a stalwart figure, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who died at the age of 66 on December 5, 2026. The prominent Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Kinabatangan Member of Parliament succumbed to illness just six days after successfully retaining his Lamag state seat in the recent Sabah election held on November 29.

A Battle with Illness

His son, Naim Kurniawan Moktar, confirmed the somber news via a social media post, requesting prayers for his father's soul. Bung Moktar's health had deteriorated significantly, initially due to a severe lung infection that led to his admission to a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu. Family members later revealed that his condition worsened with the onset of kidney complications.

Despite health advisories, Bung Moktar demonstrated unwavering dedication to his political duties. Aides reported that he fell ill shortly after filing his nomination papers on November 15. Although briefly discharged from the hospital, he pushed through, actively campaigning for Barisan Nasional candidates. He traveled back to Kinabatangan to cast his vote on election day before returning to the state capital to follow the election results. Colleagues noted his continued engagement with party members and election developments in the days following the polls, even while feeling unwell.

A Career Defined by Loyalty and Tenacity

Bung Moktar's political career was marked by loyalty and a distinctive, often controversial, straight-talking style in Parliament. He served six terms as the Kinabatangan parliamentary representative, first winning the seat in 1999 and even securing it uncontested in 2004. For much of his career, he operated as a Barisan backbencher at the national level, venturing into state politics only after the 2018 general elections.

Revitalizing Sabah Umno

Following the significant defeat of Sabah Barisan-Umno in 2018 and the subsequent departure of several senior state leaders, Bung Moktar emerged as a pivotal figure. He is widely credited with revitalizing Sabah Umno, preventing its complete collapse in the state, and restructuring the party. This resurgence was evident in their victory in the 2020 Kimanis by-election.

In the September 2020 snap state election, Bung Moktar led Sabah Barisan into an alliance with Sabah Bersatu, then headed by Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. This coalition successfully ousted the Warisan-led state government under Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, bringing Umno back into state power. However, post-2022 general election, a political rift developed between Bung Moktar and Datuk Seri Hajiji, leading Barisan to withdraw from the state government. Bung Moktar subsequently remained in opposition to Hajiji’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and unsuccessfully challenged him in the most recent election. His steadfast commitment to his party and constituents remained a hallmark of his long and impactful career.