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KOTA KINABALU – Age is not a factor even though Upko has appointed 39-year-old Datuk Ewon Benedick as party president, making him the youngest person to lead a Sabah-based party.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam said age does not matter when leading a party.
“That is Upko’s style. PBS has our own style. It does not matter how old or young you are, what matters is whether you lead a party in a better way. Age is not a factor,” he told reporters here today.
Joachim, who was met on the sidelines of the launching of the Sabah International Coffee Festival here, said this in response to Upko’s leadership transition where Ewon took over from Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
Gunsalam said PBS was not worried that the party would no longer appeal to the younger generation, especially the 18-year-olds who are now allowed to vote in the coming general election.
“I think the principles of the party are more important than the individuals who lead the party.”
PBS, which is the oldest party in Sabah, is in the midst of a rejuvenation by pushing new leaders to take the helm.
PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Johnity Ongkili in June had indicated he would step down during the next party congress scheduled for 2025.
The 37-year-old party is now in the midst of identifying a successor.
Ewon also won praise from DAP, Upko’s ally in Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Kota Kinabalu DAP Youth chief Chan Loong Wei said the leadership change in Upko will make the party and Sabah PH more competitive and provide the state with fresh faces in politics.
“It is also an opportunity to truly eliminate conservative politics practised by Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and others.” – The Vibes, September 30, 2022
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