KOTA KINABALU: Upko Youth has firmly backed party president Datuk Ewon Benedick in fighting for Sabah’s rights and steering the party forward.
Upko Youth chief Felix Joseph Saang said Ewon is a transparent, honest and stern leader who will take a firm stance in matters, including pursuing Sabah's entitlement to 40% of federal revenue derived from the state.
"The wing stands firmly behind the party president, whose commitment to the Sabah agenda has never wavered or strayed.
"We insist that the Sabah government must be led fully by local parties to ensure the stability and future of the state," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 2).
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Felix said that while the wing had wanted local parties that won multiple seats in Saturday's (Nov 29) state election to unite and form the Sabah government, it was almost impossible to achieve.
"Our interest is clear: local parties must lead, and we stand firm on this," he added.
Ewon was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister III on Monday (Dec 1) as part of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration, led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Upko, through its three elected representatives, had pledged support for Hajiji after the polls.
The three seats won by Upko were Kadamaian (Ewon), Tamparuli (Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau) and Moyog (Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin).
The state polls saw GRS winning 29 seats, Warisan 25, Barisan Nasional six, Sabah STAR two, Pakatan Harapan and Parti KDM one each, alongside five Independents.
