Warisan has confirmed it will field candidates in the Lamag state seat and the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-elections, framing the contests as a stepping stone towards winning more seats in the coming months.
The party said it is also anticipating up to five possible by-elections following election petitions that have been filed challenging the results of the Sabah polls last November.
Warisan named former Sukau assemblyperson Saddi Abdul Rahman as its candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat, while Mazliwati Abdul Malik Chua will contest the Lamag state constituency.
Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking said the party’s decision to contest the by-elections should not be viewed as a sign of disrespect to the late lawmaker Bung Moktar Radin.
“The decision for Warisan to contest is not a denial of the contributions and service of the late representative, and certainly not a form of disrespect to him or his family.
“It is born from the belief that the people’s mandate must continue, and that the responsibility of representation can only be fulfilled through a legitimate and constitutional process,” he said when announcing the candidates at an event in Kinabatangan today.
Mazliwati previously stood as Warisan’s candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat in the 2022 general election, where she lost to Bung.
Both seats were left vacant following Bung’s death on Dec 5.
Respect and responsibility
Darell said Warisan was entering the by-elections “with respect, but also with responsibility”.
“We enter this election with full respect, but also with a mandate to represent the people and to honour democracy, where the people are given the right to choose,” he said.
Warisan president Shafie Apdal was not present, as he is performing the umrah.
Darell described the Kinabatangan contest as a starting point for a broader push by the Sabah-based party.
“We must win Kinabatangan, because this is where the beginning of a local party representing Sabah, and contributing to Malaysia as a whole, can start,” he said.
Darell said Saddi was chosen for the parliamentary seat because of his local roots and experience.
“He is a local son. He understands the pulse of Kinabatangan and is ready to bring the voice of the people to the national level with integrity and responsibility,” he said.
Saddi joined Warisan on Nov 1 last year.
On Lamag, Darell said Mazliwati had the full confidence of the party leadership despite being unable to attend the announcement due to family matters.
“We are not presenting these candidates as a promise of perfection, but as an honest and responsible offer that prioritises the interests of the people of Kinabatangan, Lamag and Sabah,” he said.
Five by-elections expected
Earlier in the event, Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr said the Lamag by-election was being treated as a strategic starting point for a broader push in the months ahead.
He said the party is expecting five by-elections to be triggered by petitions that have already been filed in court.
If all five petitions result in by-elections and if Warisan goes on to win those contests, the party will have 30 seats in the Sabah state assembly, significantly strengthening its position.
“Lamag is our starting point, because after this, there are election petitions, and if we win all five, Warisan will have more than 30 seats,” he said.
The Election Commission has set Jan 10 (Saturday) as nomination day, with polling scheduled for Jan 24.
Sabah Umno is fielding Naim Moktar Radin, the son of the late Bung, for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat, while Ismail Ayob will contest the Lamag state seat after previously standing as an independent in the Nov 29, 2025, state election. - Mkini
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