Ewon to lead UPKO, Madius appointed honorary president

PENAMPANG, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau announced he will not defend his position in the party election at the 16th UPKO Triennial Delegates’ Conference that will take place on Oct 15 and 16.

He said the new party leadership will be led by vice-president Datuk Ewon Benedick who is also Kadamaian assemblyman and he will be nominated as party president at the conference.

The Tuaran MP also said the decision has been agreed upon to be implemented by the party after assessing the level of readiness of the new leader who will bear the responsibility of leading UPKO.

“It is especially now under the present political scenario with the involvement of more new and young voters through automatic Undi-18 registration,” he told reporters after a special meeting of the UPKO Supreme Council Members (AMT) and division heads at UPKO headquarters here today.

He also said honorary president Tan Sri Bernard, AMT members and division heads have unanimously expressed their faith in him to hold the position of the new honorary president of UPKO.

The nomination of candidates for the party election is scheduled to close this Friday (Sept 30). Incumbent Penampang UPKO division chief Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin is expected to defend his position as UPKO deputy president.

Meanwhile, Madius also announced he will be defending this Tuaran parliamentary seat in the coming 15th general election (GE15) and would elaborate further about the matter soon.

-- BERNAMA