KOTA KINABALU: Upko’s move to go solo in the Sabah election has worsened the situation on the ground where the native Kadazan, Murut and Rungus seats are.
With just three days to nomination, political observers are waiting to see if native-based parties could work out strategic deals to avoid clashing in at least 28 native non-Muslim seats.
Sabah UiTM senior lecturer Datuk Tony Paridi Bagang said this latest development opens new avenues for strategic collaboration among Sabah-based parties that share similar aspirations for greater state rights and political self-determination.
However, Bagang felt time could be a constraint for Upko and other parties to work out an electoral understanding as most are already on the verge of announcing their candidates.
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“It depends on how Ewon and his party work it out with others,” he said, referring to Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
“Going alone in such a fluid political ground could be harder for them.”
Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Prof Dr Lee Kuok Tiung agrees that time is running out but believes Upko could work with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) which already has an electoral understanding with Pakatan Harapan.
“Upko left Pakatan but they might just continue working together with GRS,” he said.
Lee said for Upko to join a coalition itself might be too late but they could work out a cooperation that could involve GRS.
He said it is unlikely for Upko to align itself with Sabah Progressive Party and Sabah STAR, which pulled out of GRS on Oct 1, in protest over the coalition’s cooperation with Pakatan.
“Upko will most likely be keen to align with GRS as the move will be more advantageous,” he said.
Both Bagang and Lee said the move to leave Pakatan reaffirmed the party’s core struggles and principles for “Sabah First”.
“It demonstrates Upko’s willingness to stand firm on its convictions rather than compromise for political convenience,” Bagang said.
However, Bagang said the move was “a calculated yet risky strategy”, adding that by leaving Pakatan, Upko will no longer enjoy the logistical and institutional advantages of the coalition’s machinery, making this a true test of its independence and resilience.
In the 2020 state election, Upko contested 14 seats using its own logo and Ewon was the sole winner, securing the Kadamaian seat. Upko’s then president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau lost in Kiulu.
On Monday, Ewon tendered his resignation as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister. Hours later, Upko announced its exit from Pakatan.
