Bumburing (second right) being welcomed by Benedick (third right, white shirt), Dompok (right) and other senior Upko leaders back to the party.
KOTA KINABALU: One of Upko’s favourite sons, Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing returned to the party on Friday (Feb 16), some 12 years after leaving the political outfit he co-founded.
Bumburing, a former Upko deputy president and ex-Tuaran MP, left Upko in 2012, citing differences and unhappiness with the party's then coalition – Barisan Nasional.
His homecoming to Upko also saw about 100 former party members from Keningau, Tambunan, Tamparuli, Kiulu, Kota Belud and Kuala Penyu coming back to the party.
Their return was celebrated in a Majlis Pisompuruan Bersama Pimpinan Upko gathering in Tuaran, some 40km from here.
Bumburing said his decision to come back to Upko, which he co-founded with former president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, was fueled by the present struggles and direction of Upko which was now a Pakatan Harapan component.
He said Upko was fighting for the rights and interests of Sabahans as well as its current president Datuk Ewon Benedick’s efforts ever since taking over the helm.
"Benedick and Upko are moving forward on the issue of fighting for Sabah’s entitlement to the 40% net revenue tax as enshrined under the Federal Constitution.
"When he (Benedick) invited me to a round table discussion on this matter, I was called to contribute in an active way and I supported his leadership," said the 73-year-old.
Benedick, in response, said he was happy to see Bumburing and former leaders back after being so long away from Upko.
"In the Upko convention last year, I extended an open invitation to the founders of this party and former members to return and join me in continuing the fire of struggles.
"I am proud and welcome with open arms Bumburing’s return to Upko today," said the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister.
Among others present at the gathering in Tuaran were Dompok, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, Upko secretary-general Datuk Nelson Angang and Upko Advisory Council chairman Tan Sri Wences Angang.
After leaving Upko in 2012, Bumburing contested under a PKR ticket in the 2013 General Election.
He lost the Tuaran MP seat to Tangau but won the Tamparuli state seat.
He had also led Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) as well as contested in subsequent elections under local outfit Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS).
