New leaders take charge of Sabah’s historically Kadazandusun, Murut parties

KOTA KINABALU – Winds of change are blowing across Sabah’s historical parties which represent the indigenous people of the state.

Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) is now led by Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, and the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) by Datuk Ewon Benedick. Meanwhile, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili proposed that his term as president be cut short to 18 months.

Ongkili still has over two years before his term as president ends.

PBRS, Upko and PBS have been known as parties representing the Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) political groups, before their subsequently revised political goals to include other races.

The departure of Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko) and Ongkili (PBS) will mark the end of the parties’ second-generation leaders.

Tangau was and Ongkili is the second president of their respective parties, after succeeding their predecessors Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (Upko founder) and Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (PBS founder).

PBRS, on the other hand, skipped a generation following the resignation of Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.

He handed over the post to his son Arthur.

But all three parties have something in common, with Upko and PBRS both being splinter groups of PBS.

Upko’s and PBRS’ original leaders were defectors from PBS.

Another PBS splinter is Sabah Progressive Party.

The splinter parties were established before and after the state election in 1994.

New crop of young leaders

The leadership transition in these parties also marked new and young leaders coming out and taking charge.

According to a Sabah political observer, Lee Kuok Tiung, this is a positive change in the state’s political landscape.

“This is good. It is not good for leaders to overstay. The opportunities should also be given to the new generation to come up and take over,” he said.

The new presidents of Upko (Benedick) and PBRS (Arthur) are 40 years old this year. Benedick is Penampang MP while Arthur is Pensiangan MP.

In the case of PBS, the obvious candidates for Ongkili’s successor are his deputies – Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam (KDM quota), Datuk Jahid Jahim (Muslim) and Datuk Seri Dr Yee Moh Chai (Chinese).

Joachim is 65, Jahid is 64 and Yee is 68 years old.

PBS remains Sabah’s oldest party, having existed for 38 years. – The Vibes, January 16, 2023