Madius' Tuaran division motions to avoid Upko presidential tussle before GE15

Upko president Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau.

KOTA KINABALU: A move to avoid a leadership fight for the Upko president's post is being proposed for till after the 15th general election.

The proposal comes amid growing support for Upko vice-president Datuk Ewon Benedict to take on party president Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau (pic) in the party's annual delegates meeting due in October this year.

Delegates of the Tuaran Upko division led by Madius endorsed a motion for the party to back a leadership transition, especially for the presidency in Upko to be done only after GE15.

Tuaran Upko division youth chief Rayner Ebi in tabling the motion said that the transition of the presidency should be reflected in the nominations for the deputy president post as done previously.

Taking into account the leadership transition between founding president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok to his then deputy Madius, Ebi said that it was done seamlessly with a positive effect on the stability, solidarity and strength of the party.

"We accept the fact and it has become customary that leaders come and go in an organisation.

"However, whatever happens in a political organisation such as Upko, the integrity and strength of the party must be prioritised, including in facing and planning a leadership transition," he said, adding that with a general election due at any time it was important for the party to remain united and strengthened.

"Upko with only one assemblyman and one Member of Parliament is facing challenging times. All decisions in the party and efforts should be focused on the momentum to win more parliamentary constituencies during GE15," he said.

Ebi also asked members to take heed of Dompok's words of advice to party members previously in which he (Dompok) said; "Save your energy for the worthy enemy."

Ebi said members must also realise that bigger parties like PKR did not contest the president post while Umno itself was avoiding internal elections to focus all their energy on winning the upcoming GE15.

"It is certain that if there was a leadership contest in Upko before the GE, it will to some extent divert the focus and have a direct and indirect effect on Upko's internal and external support for the party," he added.

Ebi said Upko should not expose itself to the risk of damage that will arise as a result of a leadership fight.