PUTATAN: Upko Putatan is targeting more than 2,000 attendees at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday, as the party intensifies grassroots mobilisation ahead of the next general election.
Divisional chief Datuk Dr Marcus M. Mojigoh said the AGM at Dewan Mini Antub would be open to both party members and the public, with branches instructed to maximise turnout.
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“We want all our branches in Putatan to gather as many people as they can. Members of the public are also welcome,” he said.
He said the programme would feature speeches by party leaders, including Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is expected to officiate the event.
The AGM will include youth and women’s wing meetings, followed by the main divisional assembly, alongside community activities such as a barbecue, entertainment and lucky draw.
Marcus said the division, which has more than 40 branches, aimed for strong grassroots participation despite budget considerations.
He said the AGM would also allow the party to outline its direction ahead of the polls.
On electoral plans, he said Upko hoped to reclaim the Putatan parliamentary seat, citing its historical presence in the constituency since 2004.
“Putatan was a new constituency when it was established in 2004 and Upko contested the seat from the beginning. Traditionally, it has been an Upko seat.”
He said Upko remained committed to regaining the seat and hoped it would be allocated to the party under the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.
“Now we are part of the government through GRS, and we hope the Chief Minister will consider returning the seat to Upko under the coalition arrangement,” he said.
Asked whether the party’s interest in Putatan was based solely on its historical claim to the constituency, Marcus said Upko also believed it had a strong record of managing and developing the area.
“The reason is not only because it used to be our seat. We believe we managed the constituency well when we were entrusted with the mandate,” he said.
