Sabah’s leaders mourn passing of state’s Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 5): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed deep sadness over the passing of Sabah Umno chief, Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin.

Zahid, who is also Umno president, said the party leadership is “deeply saddened and heartbroken” by the news.

“Bung was my friend and one of Umno’s leaders at both the national and Sabah levels. We feel his loss profoundly,” he said.

He called on the family of the late Bung Moktar to remain calm and accept Allah’s decree.

“May he be among those who are blessed as people of faith,” he added.

Zahid also said that in 2018, Bung was one of the few leaders who remained in Umno Sabah to help revive the party.

He was a driving force behind Umno’s resurgence in Sabah and within Barisan Nasional, said Zahid.

“I express my deepest gratitude for his contributions while leading Umno, and may all his services and sacrifices be continued. We pray that Umno will continue to remain relevant in the political landscape of Sabah,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kuamut assemblyman, Datuk Masiung Banah said that the late Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin has contributed much to the development in Kinabatangan as her MP.

Describing Bung as an outspoken Parliamentarian, Masiung said that there was no denial that he has contributed a lot to the constituency when serving as the Kinabatangan MP.

“He brought a lot of development of Kinabatangan, even though there may have been some differences of opinion on certain matters,” said Masiung at the Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu mosque this morning prior to Bung’s burial at Likas.

He added that he also visited the late Bung at the Gleneagles Hospital near here early Friday morning.

“And now, this is my second visit to express my sympathy and convey my condolence to members of his family,” said Masiung.

He also went on to describe Bung as a credible Parliamentarian, who was outspoken in raising the peoples’ issues, especially in Kinabatangan.

“As a member of the State Legislative Assembly, I often exchanged views and opinions with him,” he said.

Masiung added that Bung also helped push for infrastructure development in Kuamut by raising related matters at the federal level, including roads, electricity and water supply.

He said Bung was a firm speaker but had a good heart, adding that he regarded him as an elder brother.