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FORMER deputy president of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing, has rejoined the party after having left it thirteen years ago.
His return "home", as it has been touted, was accompanied by about a hundred former party members from Keningau, Tambunan, Tamparuli, Kiulu, Kota Belud, and Kuala Penyu doing the same.
Upko is presently a component of the national Pakatan Harapan coalition.
It is uncertain how this development will bolster the party’s political strength and prospects, especially in terms of grassroots support and its fate during future elections.
The re-entry ceremony took place at an Upko leadership gathering in Tuaran yesterday.
Bumburing had quit Upko, which was then known as United Pasok Momogun KadazanDusun Organisation, in 2011.
He stated yesterday that he made the decision after observing Upko's struggle to defend the rights and interests of the people of Sabah.
He also credited the efforts made by current president Datuk Ewon Benedick since taking over the outfit’s helm.
"Ewon and Upko are at the forefront in advocating for Sabah's 40% rights as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.
"When he invited me to a roundtable discussion on this matter, I felt compelled to actively contribute and support his leadership," Bumburing said.
Benedick had extended an invitation to Upko’s former stalwarts, calling on them to contribute to the party once again, during the party’s Christmas celebration in December last year.
Present at the event yesterday was former Upko leader Datuk James Ligunjang who is also making a comeback.
Also in attendance were former president and Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, and secretary-general Datuk Nelson Angang, as well as key members of the Upko advisory council, including council chairman Tan Sri Wences Angang, president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and council member Datuk Christine Vanhouten.
Benedick welcomed Bumburing's "return" and the return of other members to Upko after being outside the party for some time.
"In last year's convention, I issued an open invitation for the founders of this party and former members to return to the party and join me in continuing the torch of struggle. I am proud and very welcoming of Bumburing's reunion with Upko today," he said.
Bumburing, a veteran Sabah politician and former state cabinet minister, had left Upko to align himself with PKR.
The ex-Tuaran MP later formed Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) before quitting and joining Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).
Upko has been making headlines in Sabah of late after submitting a proposal to the state government on a mechanism to settle the 40% revenue entitlement.
The party has also expressed interest in contesting more seats in the forthcoming Sabah state election, while asserting that no party has the right to claim seats that they have acquired by virtue of defectors becoming their members.
Benedick has called for negotiations to be held among members of the present governing political alliance in Sabah to ensure seat allocations are done fairly.
The next Sabah state election is due in 2025 by widely expected to be held later this year. – The Vibes, February 17, 2024
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