KOTA BELUD: United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) President Datuk Ewon Benedick reminded party candidates and supporters not to belittle or run down their opponents throughout the election campaign.
Ewon, who is defending the Kadamaian seat, said the focus of this election should be on choosing local parties that truly understand Sabah’s aspirations and rights.
He described the increasing number of local parties contesting in the polls as a positive development, reflecting Sabahans’ determination to lead their own state.
“In this election, we are competing, but that is a good thing. It shows that local parties want to lead.
“Imagine a Sabah government that is 100 per cent made up of local parties; decisions concerning Sabah’s rights would no longer need to be delayed or negotiated,” he said, at his ‘Referendum Sabah First – Pason Ku Montok Kadamaian’ speech at the Konvensyen Rakyat held at Kadamaian Square.
Ewon urged voters to assess parties based on principles and their commitment to Sabah’s struggle, rather than rhetoric or personal attacks.
“This is the time for us to secure our 40 per cent entitlement. Choose a local party and in Kadamaian, choose me to continue leading this constituency and to help lead Sabah,” he said.
He emphasised that the State election was more than a contest for assembly seats, describing it as a referendum on whether Sabah should return to being governed by local leaders firmly defending State rights.
“This is the moment. Let us begin from Kadamaian, which is ready to lead Sabah and advance the Sabah First agenda,” he said.
Ewon also extended his best wishes to the seven other candidates in Kadamaian, noting that they are all Sabahans. He faces an eight-cornered contest for the Kadamaian seat in the 17th Sabah State Election.
The challengers are Norman Simon (Warisan), Judin Tingih (Parti Bangsa Malaysia), Daibi Mandadi (PIS), James Muyau (GRS) Davylandon Rubbin (Star) Josley Taising (KDM), and Priskila Akwila Sinem (Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri).
