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News by the Jesselton Times on Upko's 31st anniversary today, picked up by Borneo Herald, 2-5-2025
KOTA KINABALU: Following a notable loss in the 16th state election (2020), where only Datuk Ewon Benedick triumphed in the Kadamaian constituency, UPKO has gradually regained its momentum, winning two parliamentary seats – Tuaran and Penampang – in the subsequent general elections (PRU 2022).
This unexpected success has somewhat alleviated the disappointment of diehard UPKO supporters, who felt let down during the previous state election.
UPKO gained a number of state seats in Moyog, Bingkor, Kuala Penyu and Kuamut during its prime.
On Friday, UPKO celebrates its 31st anniversary, a perfect opportunity to reignite the party’s resurgence and position itself as a contender capable of surprising outcomes in the upcoming elections.
The leadership of UPKO continues to evolve, now under the charismatic young leader Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Can Ewon’s winning touch transform the party’s fortunes in the next election?
Political analyst and social activist Dr Kanul Gindol commented that the people should not write UPKO off just yet.
“Upko now is under a fresh young leader in Ewon and has strong advantages under him, who, being a federal minister, serves well his electorates in Penampang, Kadamaian, and Upko members at large,” he said to Jesselton Times in an exclusive interview today.
“Upko, being a Pakatan Harapan component, and assuming it gets the cooperation from Barisan Nasional and possibly GRS, is poised to win more than one seat in the coming state election, which must be called before the year ends.
“At least that is the simple arithmetic for Upko this time. I think Ewon could choose the right seats Upko should contest,” he said, adding that the state election is not without challenges, though.
In the last state election in 2020, Upko, working together with PH and Warisan Plus, stood in 12 seats, mostly predominantly Kadazan-Dusun-Murut constituencies, but won only in Kadamaian.
For the 17th state election, Ewon had said in 2023 and reiterated it last year that his party would want to contest in mixed seats too and that both PH chairman Datuk Anwar Ibrahim and Sabah GRS head Datuk Hajiji Noor are aware of Upko’s intention.
“It would serve Upko well if PH and GRS allowed Ewon to choose the mix of seats he meant; however, this is not a walk in a park, as parties, either within PH or GRS, are all clamouring for the same and more seats.
“For an example, Tamparuli can be considered a mix seat, as even though it is a Dusun majority, it also has substantial Chinese and Muslim voters, but then, the incumbent is from PBS,” Dr Kanul said, explaining a swap is not easy.
However, he pointed out that Ewon is quite good in negotiation with the right parties, and this is evident in him getting elected to be Sabah PH’s new chairman recently.
“If he can negotiate his way well with partners, he may succeed in adding Upko’s seat at the coming poll. He is also good at targeting; just look at the Penampang seat in 2022.
“I think Ewon getting the Chinese vote bank is fantastic, and this explains his attempt to get Upko to mix seats, instead of its traditional Kadazan-Dusun-Murut. Upko is in good hands,” Dr Kanul said, adding Ewon should never be underestimated.
“Sabah politics is fluid now; the equation may change suddenly, and alignments may falter. There will be storms and turbulence, and ship captains like Ewon must adjust sails accordingly to get to their destination…” he added. ~ Jesselton Times / Borneo Herald
