In the run-up to the Sandakan by-election, much attention was placed on Sabah Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin's promise to mobilise 9,700 Umno members to vote.

Given that Umno has been recovering some ground in Peninsular Malaysia of late, Bung Moktar's pledge was not taken lightly, which was evident in Pakatan Harapan and their ally Warisan's heavy campaigning in Muslim neighbourhoods...