Kinabatangan Residents Remember Bung Moktar As Generous, Big-Hearted Leader

KINABATANGAN, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The contributions of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin as Kinabatangan MP will long be remembered by the people here, who regarded him as a generous and warm-hearted leader.

Imam of Masjid Nurul Hikmah Kampung Bilit, Isde Singling, 52, said Bung Moktar’s generosity was evident through the many contributions he made to the mosque, including financial aid, worship equipment and copies of the Quran.

“He often contributed to the mosque. Sometimes he would ask himself what was lacking and what was needed. He was very easy to deal with, and previously the mosque applied for assistance to build a funeral bathing room and the allocation was approved.

“In fact, the construction of Masjid Nurul Hikmah itself was his initiative, along with the construction of Masjid Rancangan Suan Lamba. He was a caring leader loved by the people of Kinabatangan for his service to religious development,” he told Bernama.

Isde, who is from Kampung Terus Jaya, said one unforgettable memory was when Bung Moktar personally called him and offered him the opportunity to perform the haj in Makkah in 2015.

“At that time, six imams in Kinabatangan, including myself, were able to perform the haj under his initiative,” he said.

For former Kampung Bilit chief, Salina Tombok, 64, the late Bung Moktar was a big-hearted leader who brought various development projects to the village, such as the construction of roads, water and electricity supply, as well as dozens of houses under the hardcore poor housing programme.

“He contributed greatly to Kampung Bilit, including the construction of a multipurpose hall that benefits villagers. We here feel the loss of a kind-hearted leader who understood the people’s problems. It is hard for us to forget him.

“He often went down to the ground, entered the villages, and I still remember he would visit his parents’ graves in Kampung Bilit before proceeding to his community programmes,” she added.

Meanwhile, Sahrudin Sujarah, 50, said Bung Moktar played a major role in developing Kinabatangan, particularly Kampung Bilit, where residents initially lived along the riverbank but no longer do.

“In Kinabatangan, especially Kampung Bilit, things have changed tremendously. It used to be a jungle, muddy, with no roads and many difficulties, but through his efforts it transformed from a jungle area to a developed one. Before this, residents lived along the rivers.

“His leadership in Kinabatangan will not be forgotten. For example, previously if we travelled from morning to Tongod, we would only arrive in the evening, but now from Telupid to Tongod takes around an hour,” he said.

According to Sahrudin, outsiders may think Bung Moktar did not know how to lead, but locals witnessed and experienced the development during his tenure in Kinabatangan.

“Previously, travelling from Kinabatangan to Sandakan took three to four hours, but now it takes a little more than an hour. He also prioritised education and did his best to provide educational assistance to the children in Kinabatangan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Namrah Tombok, 67, a schoolmate from Kampung Sukau, described the late Bung Moktar as a firm but kind-hearted friend.

“In 1973, we studied together at Government Secondary School Cheng Meng in Sandakan. Even if he was angry, he would laugh afterwards. If he made a promise, he kept it,” she said.

Bung Moktar, 66, passed away at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu at 1.46 am yesterday. He had defended the Lamag seat in the 17th Sabah State Election on Nov 29.

-- BERNAMA