KOTA KINABALU: The 17th Sabah state election must not become a battlefield of personal attacks but should focus on mature, collaborative politics instead, says United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
“This election cannot be reduced to who shouts the loudest, who sensationalises the most, or who preys on opponents’ weaknesses. It must be about unity. It must be about vision,” he said during Upko’s 31st anniversary celebration in Kota Kinabalu, recently.
Benedick, who also chairs Sabah Pakatan Harapan, confirmed that its internal negotiations and informal discussions with other political blocs are ongoing.
“As a Pakatan component party, Upko is committed to contesting in the state polls, not only to defend Kadamaian but also to expand our representation in the state assembly,” he said.
The Kadamaian seat, which he currently holds, was the party’s sole victory in the 2020 state election.
Beyond electoral strategy, Benedick stressed the importance of rebuilding trust in public institutions and instilling a stronger sense of ownership among Sabahans in their state government.
“Since 1963, when Sabah joined in the formation of the Malaysian federation, we have played our part in nation-building. But to strengthen Malaysia, we must first strengthen Sabah, beginning with how Sabahans relate to their own institutions,” he said.
He called for institutional reforms to better reflect Sabah’s diverse society, including improvements in state civil service composition, statutory appointments, scholarship allocation, service delivery, and the state's legal and interfaith frameworks.
Benedick also warned that confrontational politics will only derail the state’s development and undermine collective progress.
“Sabah cannot afford to be pulled backwards by divisive rhetoric. We must move forward together,” he said.
