UMNO Postpones Discussion on Bung Moktar’s Successor Amidst Grief

KUALA LUMPUR, El Sky News – UMNO has decided to postpone any immediate discussions regarding the replacement for the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who passed away on Thursday. Party leaders cited overwhelming grief and a sense of profound loss as the reason for delaying the crucial internal deliberation.

Postponement Due to Deep Mourning

According to Puteri UMNO Chief Datuk Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi, the leadership is not yet prepared to move on to the practical matter of filling the vacant posts, highlighting the emotional toll of Bung Moktar’s sudden passing.

“Many leaders are still mourning and deeply affected by the loss of the deceased (Bung Moktar), we are not ready yet (to discuss the replacement). The feelings are still mixed, the loss is truly felt. Give us a little time,” Nurul Amal stated after the UMNO Supreme Council (MT) meeting held last night.

Supreme Council Meeting Highlights

The MT meeting, chaired by UMNO President and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was described as a routine monthly gathering.

• No Succession Talk: The MT meeting did not feature any discussion concerning the appointment of a new Sabah UMNO Chief or other related positions left vacant by the former leader.
• Tahlil Held: The meeting commenced with a brief tahlil (a short prayer ceremony for the deceased) to honour Bung Moktar, who was remembered for his closeness to the leadership and his presence at previous crucial meetings.
• Sabah State Election: The meeting did touch on the recent 17th Sabah State Election held on November 29.

By-Election Looming

Bung Moktar, who served as the Sabah UMNO Liaison Committee Chairman, passed away on December 5 at a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu, just days after successfully defending his Lamag State Assembly (DUN) seat in the state election.

Following his death, the Election Commission (EC) announced that a special meeting will be convened on December 16 to determine the key dates for the ensuing by-elections for both the Kinabatangan Parliamentary seat and the Lamag State Assembly seat in Sabah.