Kinabatangan By-election: BN Candidate Pitches Education, Green Economy Agenda

By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman

KINABATANGAN, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election, Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, 32, has stepped forward with an education and environment-based green economic development agenda as the core of his struggle should he be elected as the constituency’s representative.

Stressing that his commitment is not mere rhetoric, he pledged to be a bridge uniting the aspirations of villagers, youths, farmers, fishermen and small traders, believing that policies driven by the people’s voices are more effective in shaping the area’s future.

The UMNO Youth national treasurer, better known as Naim Moktar, said opportunities to pursue higher education in the district remain limited and require a more aggressive approach to ensure young people are not left behind in the nation’s development stream.

“The most important thing for youths now is access to education. In Kinabatangan, we only have a GiatMARA centre. So my aim is to bring more higher education institutions to Kinabatangan. There is no need to migrate to Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur to gain knowledge,” he said in a recent interview with Bernama.

He stressed that education is the foundation of social mobility and the long-term competitiveness of rural communities, especially as 57.17 per cent, or 27,841 voters in Kinabatangan, are aged between 18 and 39.

Mohd Kurniawan Naim, who is also a BN Youth Exco member, also views green economic development as a new growth driver for the Kinabatangan constituency, including ecotourism and high-value biodiversity-based products.

The Kinabatangan constituency, covering an area of about 18,068 sq km and comprising three state seats — Lamag, Kuamut and Sukau — is rich in natural attractions, including Gomantong Caves, the Danum Valley and recreational fishing attractions centred on the tembaring fish.

The Kinabatangan UMNO Youth chief said that last year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised Kinabatangan as Malaysia’s latest biosphere reserve site.

The Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve, spanning 413,866 hectares, is an important habitat for 315 bird species, 100 reptile species, 33 amphibian species, 127 mammal species and more than 1,000 species of vascular plants.

The site is also home to endemic, rare and endangered species such as the Orang Utan (Pongo pygmaeus), Borneo elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) and eight species of Sabah hornbills.

“The main attraction of Kinabatangan is its natural wealth, including Gomantong Caves, which are synonymous with swiftlet nests, and the Danum Valley, dubbed the ‘Lost World of Sabah’ due to its well-preserved habitat.

“Although tourist arrivals are not as high as in other districts, the length of stay in Kinabatangan is longer, especially among visitors from the European market who are interested in nature and research,” he said.

Mohd Kurniawan Naim said that although the agricultural sector remains the backbone of employment opportunities in Kinabatangan, its environmental assets also open space and opportunities for economic diversification through the emergence of larger-scale commercial activities.

“When we see the commercial sector gaining traction in Kinabatangan, more investors are becoming interested in investing here. I see this as healthier because it opens up a new economic cycle in Kinabatangan,” he said.

He also stressed that Kinabatangan’s red durian has the potential to be elevated as a premium commodity through official varietal recognition, while the bird's nest industry could become a catalyst for economic growth if access to export markets, particularly China, is realised.

“This red durian is very synonymous with Kinabatangan… and this year its price was astonishing, surpassing Musang King by up to RM60 per kilogramme,” he said.

He said the current market value of bird's nest in Sabah ranges between RM2,000 and RM3,000 per kilogramme, but could potentially surge to between RM80,000 and RM90,000 per kilogramme if it penetrates the China market.

“I had the opportunity to meet with players in the bird's nest industry. They have already held several engagement sessions between industry players in Sabah and the largest buyers in China. There we can see that these efforts can, to some extent, help boost the local community’s economy,” he said.

The Kinabatangan by-election is a three-cornered contest involving Mohd Kurniawan Naim, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and Goldam Hamid (Independent), while the Lamag state by-election is a straight fight between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).

The by-elections were called following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5 last year.

The Kinabatangan seat has 48,722 registered voters, comprising 48,526 ordinary voters and 196 police personnel and spouses as early voters. A total of 36 regular polling centres with 117 streams and one early voting centre with one stream will be used. The Lamag constituency has 13,899 voters. 

Polling for both by-elections is on Jan 24 while early voting is on Jan 20.

-- BERNAMA