FAR more than a name on a map, Kinabatangan in eastern Sabah is a destination that draws visitors with its lush tropical forests, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural tapestry, largely shaped by the indigenous Orang Sungai communities.
Located approximately 306 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, a journey of around five hours, Kinabatangan has gained prominence as a centre for conservation, research, and eco-tourism, serving as a gateway for both domestic and international travellers.
The district is synonymous with exotic red durians and is home to rare wildlife such as Bornean elephants, proboscis monkeys, and orangutans along the Kinabatangan River, Malaysia’s second-longest river.
According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency spans roughly 18,068 square kilometres and encompasses the state assembly districts of Kuamut, Lamag, and Sukau, with a population of 216,087.
The town of Lamag, with its modern commercial buildings, exemplifies Kinabatangan’s evolving face.
Local commerce has surged alongside urban development, boosting socio-economic conditions and providing employment opportunities for young people.
District Officer Suhaimie Ejip noted that most residents engage in oil palm cultivation, subsistence farming, cash crops, business, and tourism, while others work as fishermen or in the public and private sectors.
“Kinabatangan has significant economic potential and should not be judged solely by external perceptions. Its value must be understood in terms of real possibilities,” Bernama quoted him saying.
Suhaimie described the district as a “green gold” zone, with nearly 80 per cent of its land dedicated to oil palm plantations.
He added that Kinabatangan contributes substantially to Sabah’s economy, particularly through palm oil production and the tourism sector.
The town boasts essential infrastructure, including a hospital, health clinics, schools, libraries, courts, an Internet hub known as the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI), banking and postal services, a public market, and a newly constructed multipurpose hall.
Despite these facilities, Suhaimie said further development, especially high-quality road infrastructure, is crucial to sustaining economic growth and integrating Kinabatangan fully with the rest of Sabah.
“The Pan Borneo Highway project, which passes through Kinabatangan, is expected to provide a more efficient transport network, stimulate rapid development, and benefit not only local residents but all of Sabah,” he added.
Roads in the district are a critical link between Sabah’s west and east coasts, and ensuring their quality is essential for economic activity and public safety.
Local tour guide Zarin Sakirim, 33, remarked on the positive transformation of DUN Lamag over the past decade, noting the proliferation of new businesses and a more vibrant townscape.
Plans are underway for a new development, Bandar Seri Milian, which is anticipated to generate further employment and enhance residents’ quality of life.
Private tutor Noor Hanisah Sikang Pong, 26, observed that recent developments have improved access to daily necessities, reducing dependence on distant towns such as Sandakan and Lahad Datu, located approximately 85km and 100km away respectively.
She urged the elected representatives in the upcoming by-elections to prioritise road infrastructure to facilitate commerce, save travel time, and ensure residents’ safety.
“The hope is that the future representatives will bring meaningful change, promote development, and serve transparently, so no one is left behind,” she said.
The by-elections for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and Lamag state assembly are being held following the death of incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on 5 December last year.
The parliamentary contest is a three-way race between Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (Barisan Nasional), Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan), and independent candidate Goldam Hamid.
The Lamag state assembly by-election is a one-on-one contest between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).
The Kinabatangan by-elections will engage 48,722 registered voters, including 48,526 regular voters and 196 police personnel and spouses as early voters.
Voting is scheduled for 24 January, with early voting set for 20 January across 36 ordinary polling centres and one early voting centre. - January 13, 2026
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