GRS Likely Won't Contest Lamag, Kinabatangan By-Elections - Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- There is a big possibility that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will not contest the Lamag state and Kinabatangan parliamentary by-elections scheduled for Jan 24, 2026.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, said GRS would, as a matter of principle, give way and respect to Barisan Nasional (BN), as the party that won the seat in the 17th Sabah State Election on Nov 29.

"We will give respect to the party that won. It so happens that they are in the current state government.

"We will pave the way and assist them to win the by-election,” he said when met by reporters outside the Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

Asked whether the decision involves both the state and parliamentary seats of the constituency, Hajiji, who is also the Sabah Chief Minister, said they will hold discussions first to finalise the matter.

He said this included holding joint discussions with the top GRS leadership, including BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He, however, did not state when the discussions would be held.

"That is what we want to discuss. But, as a matter of principle, we will give way,” he added.

Earlier, Bernama reported that Sabah UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Jafry Ariffin as saying that talks would be held with GRS regarding Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections next month.

Jafry said the discussions are important since UMNO is part of the coalition that forms the Sabah State Unity Government together with GRS.

The Election Commission (EC) has set the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections for Jan 24, 2026, respectively, with nominations on Jan 10 and early voting on Jan 20.

The by-elections need to be held following the death of the incumbent, Bung Moktar, on Dec 5 at a private hospital here.

-- BERNAMA