By Mohd Khairy Abdullah @ DG Henry
KOTA BELUD (Sabah, Malaysia), Sept 15 – United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) President Datuk Ewon Benedick stressed that the welfare and safety of the people must come before political interests, as the party chose not to launch its Kadamaian election machinery but instead established the UPKO Disaster Relief Fund with an initial allocation of RM100,000.
Ewon said the decision was made as a mark of compassion and solidarity with victims of floods and landslides in several districts, disasters that claimed lives and severely disrupted communities.
“As a responsible party, we are not proceeding with the launch of the election machinery. Instead, we are channelling an initial RM100,000 through the UPKO Disaster Relief Fund. This fund will be distributed immediately to UPKO divisions in the affected areas to support those in real need,” he said during the Kadamaian People’s Convention at the Kadamaian Square Open Hall, monday.
Ewon, who is also the Kadamaian State Assemblyman and Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, emphasised that the fund does not rely on public donations but is fully financed through internal party contributions.
He added that this initiative clearly demonstrates UPKO’s commitment to prioritising lives and people’s welfare above political agendas, reflecting the humanitarian values that should underpin politics in Sabah.
The Kadamaian People’s Convention, held in conjunction with Malaysia Day, drew more than 3,000 attendees and also highlighted development achievements in Kadamaian since Ewon began representing the constituency in 2018.
