KOTA KINABALU – Incoming United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick will likely face Warisan top gun Datuk Darell Leiking for the Penampang federal seat in the 15th general election (GE15).
Leiking, who has held the seat for two terms since 2018, is the seat’s incumbent, but Penampang has traditionally been an Upko seat since it was won by former Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in 1986 while the party was still part of Barisan Nasional.
Benedick, 39, will also likely face Sabah STAR vice-president, Kenny Chua, who will be contesting under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah banner.
Chua was formerly an assemblyman for Inanam, which he won on a Pakatan Harapan ticket during GE14.
“(I am) ready. I want to offer fresh leadership for Penampang,” said Benedick, who is also the Kadamaian assemblyman.
With this, Upko looks set to contest two seats, namely Penampang and Tuaran, in GE15, which has been announced for November 19.
Outgoing Upko party president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has indicated he will defend his Tuaran parliamentary seat. – The Vibes, October 20, 2020
