RANAU: Upko President Datuk Ewon Benedick has called on Upko Ranau leaders and members to support all Government assemblymen in the district to strengthen unity and cooperation among parties within Sabah’s local political coalition.
He said a culture of mutual respect and cooperation with local parties, particularly those in the Government, was important to ensure development programmes for the people could be implemented smoothly.
“If we want our party to be respected by the people, and if we want our party and division to be respected by leaders and other parties, we must begin by showing that respect ourselves.
“We must be able to respect and work with other parties, especially Government parties and Government representatives. This is what I want to see in Upko Ranau, particularly in the coming term after the completion of the division meeting,” he said.
He said this while officiating at the Upko Ranau Division Triennial General Meeting at Lohan Rest House here on Saturday.
Ewon said any aspirations or demands pursued by the party would require consensus and cooperation from all parties involved.
“Unity brings strength. Therefore, we must be able to work together with the two Deputy Chief Ministers in Ranau as well as all Government representatives in this district,” he said.
At the same time, he urged the new Upko Ranau leadership to submit proposals on the redelineation of electoral boundaries in the district.
He said Ranau was a vast constituency and the time had come to examine the need for additional State or Parliamentary seats to ensure more effective representation for the people.
“Every party has been asked to submit proposals for new electoral boundaries. The current Parliamentary constituencies are still based on the delineation exercise carried out in 2004.
“This means the boundaries have not been reviewed for 22 years. If we want to see Upko regain its strength in the future, I hope these proposals can be submitted to the party leadership after the Congress,” he said.
Ewon also expressed appreciation to GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor and the coalition’s Supreme Council leaders for officially accepting Upko as a component party of the coalition.
He described Upko’s entry into GRS as a historic achievement that provides greater opportunities for the unity of Sabah-based parties.
“Never before has Upko been part of a formally registered coalition of Sabah local parties. I am grateful that what I have hoped for since joining this party has finally become a reality.
“I have always hoped that Sabah local parties could unite, and today Upko is part of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah,” he said.
According to him, the unity of Sabah local parties was important in strengthening the struggle for Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement and ensuring a stronger voice for Sabahans in the future.
