KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is entering a politically delicate moment following the death of former Sabah deputy chief minister Bung Moktar Radin, raising questions over the vacancy of his long-held Kinabatangan parliamentary seat.

The Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman

died at age 66

just days after the coalition contested the state election and formed the state government with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). His son Naim Kurniawan Moktar said he died at 1.46am on Dec 5, 2025.

Datuk Seri Bung Moktar was one of the state’s most recognisable, and at times polarising, political figures. He frequently drew public scrutiny over his outspoken style, including in 2018 when a vulgar remark in Parliament sparked widespread backlash and went viral.

Should his seats be contested, it will be a bellwether for BN’s fortunes in Sabah following the coalition’s underwhelming performance in the recent state polls.

A loss would deal a significant blow to BN’s efforts to rebuild in East Malaysia and could signal trouble for the unity government’s cohesion ahead of the next general election.

“Bung was obviously a rather controversial figure in both Sabah and national politics,” Political analyst Oh Ei Sun told The Straits Times.

“He understood the nuts and bolts of how rural politics works, and he was never shy about voicing his concerns in Parliament.”

Under Article 54 of the Federal Constitution, if a vacancy arises in Parliament, it should be filled within 60 days from the date it is declared vacant by the Election Commission (EC).

However, if a vacancy arises at a date which is less than two years from the date on which Parliament’s five-year mandate is expiring, no by-election is required.