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DATUK Seri Bung Moktar Radin, the long-serving Member of Parliament for Kinabatangan and Chairman of Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah, has died at the age of 66.
He passed away at 1.46am in a private hospital in Kota Kinabalu, where he had been receiving intensive treatment.
His son, Naim Kurniawan Moktar, confirmed the news in a Facebook post. “Peace be upon you. With deep sorrow, we inform you that our father, Moktar Radin, breathed his last on 5 December 2025 at 1.46am (14 Jamadilakhir 1447H).
“We ask everyone to pray that his soul is blessed with divine mercy and placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah,” he wrote.
Bung Moktar had been admitted to the hospital after suffering kidney failure and a severe lung infection.
Political colleagues, family members and close friends gathered at the hospital late last night as news of his deteriorating condition spread.
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Musa Aman, also visited him while he was undergoing treatment.
The late Bung Moktar, who also served as the Assemblyman for Lamag, had only recently defended the seat in the 17th Sabah General election, which concluded last Saturday.
Born on 14 September 1959 in Kampung Bilit, Sukau, Kinabatangan, he received his early education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Bilit before continuing at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sandakan and later pursuing tertiary studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Before entering politics, he served as an officer with the Department of Special Affairs (JASA) in Sandakan from 1987 to 1990, followed by a stint with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) between 1990 and 1992. From 1994 to 1999, he was appointed Political Secretary to the Sabah Finance Minister.
His national political career began in earnest in 1999 when he was elected Kinabatangan MP, a role he retained for more than two decades.
In 2020, he won the Lamag state seat during Sabah’s 16th election and was subsequently appointed Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister I as well as the state’s Minister of Works, positions he held from 2020 to 2023. He also chaired FELCRA Berhad from 2013 to 2018.
Throughout his career, Bung Moktar was known as one of UMNO Sabah’s most vocal and influential leaders, earning a reputation for his assertive political style and strong grassroots presence.
His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Sabah’s contemporary political landscape.
Meawnwhile, a sombre atmosphere enveloped the grounds of Gleneagles Hospital here following the death of Sabah UMNO Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin earlier this evening.
Sabah UMNO Information Chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir and the party’s State Secretary Datuk Jafry Ariffin were seen at the hospital as relatives, colleagues and supporters gathered to await further arrangements.
It is understood that the Kinabatangan MP’s remains will be taken to his residence in Damai. “The remains are now awaiting transfer to his home,” both leaders said at the scene.
The Vibes.com reported earlier that had been hospitalised and details of his condition have yet to be officially confirmed as of last night.
It is learnt that the Lamag assemblyman had suffered from the infection since Nov 15 but continued to carry on with his campaigns for the Nov 29 state election.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor prayed for the recovery of Bung and shared a post sending well wishes on his Facebook page.
In a post on his official social media account, Naim said the family was deeply moved by the efforts of religious leaders in the Lamag area who organised 'solat hajat' for Bung Moktar's recovery. - December 5, 2025
