SANDAKAN: United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick has declined to confirm if the party plans to contest the Sandakan parliamentary seat in the next general election (GE16), following efforts to bolster its presence among the local Chinese community.
Speaking at a Mid-Autumn Festival dinner hosted by Upko Libaran on Friday (Sept 18), which drew representatives from 16 Chinese associations and 12 local school boards, Ewon stated that candidate and seat allocations will be determined by top leadership within Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
"What is certain is that Upko will defend the two seats we currently hold, Penampang and Tuaran," Ewon said, adding that further electoral aspirations will be raised with GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor when formal discussions begin.
Upko, which officially joined the ruling GRS coalition in June, has been actively expanding its grassroots reach beyond its traditional Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) base, including the establishment of a dedicated Chinese Task Force in Sandakan earlier this year.
The Sandakan parliamentary seat is currently held by Pakatan Harapan’s Vivian Wong Shir Yee.
