KOTA KINABALU – United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) leaders continue to serve the people genuinely despite no longer being part of the Sabah government, says party vice-president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
This, Benedick said, might be the silver lining for the party, following the defeat of Warisan Plus, a coalition Upko was part of, during the state polls last year.
“Ever since I joined Upko’s leadership in 2005, I noticed many people who wanted to be part of the ruling government as they felt that they would have access to more facilities. I hardly saw any who were truly motivated to serve the people.
“Now that Upko is not part of the government, we are met with tremendous challenges, but now we can judge the characters of Upko leaders based on how firm they stand to fight against this challenge,” he said during a webinar hosted via Upko’s official Facebook page yesterday.
Benedick said that Upko is at present providing the balance as a policymaking and grassroots service-oriented party.
In times of a health crisis following the Covid-19 pandemic, Benedick said Upko must work with all parties and play a role in the check and balance to ensure that the people’s interests are taken care of.
“Other than helping speed up the distribution of food aid, we collaborate with the government to ensure a smooth and successful vaccination programme. These are among the things we can do to help the rakyat,” he said.
Benedick is the sole survivor from Upko during the last elections, after he successfully defended the Kadamaian seat.
He said his approach to securing the seat was centred on dedication and leadership oriented towards serving the rakyat.
Additionally, he also admitted to have learnt a lot from former Upko chief Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Upko president Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau.
“Since I became the rep for Kadamaian in 2018, the people’s visions have become my visions.
“That is why I started the Kadamaian Development Master Plan 2020-2035.
“The plan was produced after six months of research in 2019 involving interviews with villagers from 74 villages.
“It documents the visions of future development from the people in Kadamaian, and it is my responsibility as their assemblyman to make it happen,” he added. – The Vibes, July 19, 2021
