PENAMPANG: United Kinabalu Progressive Organisation (Upko) Penampang fully supports the decision of the top leadership in nominating Datuk Ewon Benedick to run as a Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate in the Penampang parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Its Deputy President Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin, said he himself was directly involved in the decision.
“Upko believes that the current political era needs fresh, dynamic and capable leaders. We consider Ewon as a leader with high potential to bring the struggle of Sabah and its multiracial people to a higher level.
“Not to mention being the youngest president in Upko but he is also one of the youngest party presidents in Malaysia at the age of 39.
“Actually Ewon is no stranger to Penampang because his late father, Benedict Yong came from Kg Proper. Ewon grew up there and went to school at SM St. Michael,” he said.
Donald, who is also Upko Penampang Chief, said that members are very proud of the party’s future president who started his political leadership when he was in his 20s as the Head of the Upko Committee.
“When serving as the Head of the Upko Committee since 2005, Ewon often went to the villages in Penampang to help Upko people’s representatives here.
“He grew up in Upko to become a leader with calibre, principals, integrity, loyal and mature. He symbolises the transformation of Upko in a new political era.
“His acceptance as the party’s top leader shows Upko’s confidence in Ewon and young leaders. We accept his nomination with an open heart,” he said.
Donald stressed that GE15 is very important to change the Federal Government and elect a new Prime Minister.
“In the national context, only the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition is viable and has strength as an alternative to the Barisan or Perikatan Nasional government which has clearly failed in administering the country.
“We believe voters in Penampang understand this objective. I pray and hope that the people of Penampang, especially the younger generation, will support and vote for the Pakatan Harapan candidate, Ewon in our efforts to establish a new federal government that is secular, inclusive, and transparent and fight for reform for the good of the country and the people,” he said.
Ewon, who is Vice President of Upko was confirmed as its next president after outgoing Datuk Seri Madius Tangau gave way ahead of the Tri-Annual General Conference which should have been held on October 16. The conference had to be postponed to a date after GE15.
Donald said that the transfer of the position of Upko President was part of the party’s rebranding and succession agenda.
“Same goes with the decision to nominate Ewon in Penampang. The Penampang Parliamentary is an important and dynamic area for Upko.
“It is the birthplace and the area of Upko’s spiritual leader, the late Datuk Peter Mojuntin, an outstanding fighter of Unko and Upko in the past whom we admire and is an inspiration to members today.
“Additionally, Upko was born in Penampang in 1994 and the first President of Upko was Tan Sri Bernard Dompok who is also from Penampang. Upko believes that the current political era needs fresh and more dynamic and capable leaders like Ewon,” he said.
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