PETALING JAYA: Ewon Benedick is set to take over as Upko president from Wilfred Madius Tangau at the party’s national convention on Sunday.
Upko deputy secretary-general Fairuz Bandar said Tangau decided not to defend his party post after Upko’s poor performance in the Sabah state election in September 2020, in which he had also lost the contest for the Kiulu seat.
“Tangau has shown political maturity by initiating the process of the change in leadership through negotiations to prevent any split in the party,” Fairuz said, according to Berita Harian.
Tangau and Ewon are the Tuaran and Penampang MPs, respectively. Ewon is also the entrepreneur and cooperatives development minister in the federal government.
In September, Tangau had announced that he would not be defending the president’s post in the Upko party elections, paving the way for Ewon to take over the top position.
Ewon is currently a vice-president in the party.
Upko is a Pakatan Harapan component party.
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