Puncak Borneo MP recalls how spat turned into friendship with late Bung Moktar

KUCHING (Dec 6): Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin revealed that the infamous verbal spat between him and the late Datuk Bung Moktar Radin in the Dewan Rakyat in 2018 had formed a friendship rooted in what he described as the ‘Borneo spirit’.

He said many people had assumed the pair bore grudges against each other due to the vulgar outburst directed at him during the sitting, but the reality was quite the opposite.

“After the incident, he apologised in Parliament and when he stepped out of the hall, I met him. We hugged and shook hands.

“In his distinct Sabahan tone, he said to me: ‘Young man, I know you’re a good leader. Banyak perkara lagi you mau belajar. Jangan marah, kita sama-sama Borneo ba.’ (There are still many things you have to learn, but don’t be angry; we’re both from Borneo),” he shared in a tribute post on Facebook.

The incident occurred in 2018, when Willie, who was then with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), had interjected Bung Moktar’s speech, which led to the Kinabatangan MP uttering a vulgar phrase.

Willie said the reconciliation marked the beginning of a close friendship.

He recalled an incident in 2020 where he was accused of showing an inappropriate gesture at the Dewan Rakyat, but the late Bung Moktar quickly came to his defence.

“He rose and defended me, saying: ‘Saya tidak nampak pun Puncak Borneo tunjuk jari.’ (I did not see Puncak Borneo showing the gesture),” he said, adding that the exchange could be referenced in the Hansard.

He said their Borneo spirit only strengthened after those moments, and the two remained close in Parliament.

He recalled that just two weeks ago, they shared a meal at the backbenchers’ room in Parliament, exchanging jokes that left him in stitches.

“Actually, he was someone humorous and firm. One thing I noticed when he delivered speeches or interjected in Parliament — he never had a prepared text. It all came out spontaneously,” he said.

Willie described Bung Moktar as a dedicated leader committed to advancing the interests of Sabahans, and prayed that his contributions would continue to be rewarded as enduring charity.

Bung Moktar, 66, passed away at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu at 1.46am on Friday, according to his son Naim Kurniawan Moktar.

The six-term Kinabatangan MP was chairman of the Sabah chapters of Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN).

He had successfully defended Lamag constituency in the recently-concluded Sabah state election.