UPKO Poised to Contest in Melalap — Ewon Benedick Asserts Local Leadership as the Pillar of Unity Government
By Mohd Khairy Abdullah @ DG Henry
TENOM (Sabah, Malaysia), October 5, 2025 — United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) President Datuk Ewon Benedick has affirmed his party’s readiness to contest the Melalap state constituency (DUN Melalap) in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN-17), describing it as a strategic move to strengthen Sabah’s local leadership within the framework of Malaysia’s Unity Government.
Speaking at the UPKO Tenom 2025 Convention held at Dewan Seri Panglima Antanom, Ewon called on all party machinery and Unity Government allies to unite behind UPKO’s candidate in Melalap — a seat he described as vital to restoring the voice of the interior people in the national governance structure.
“My presence here today represents full support for UPKO Tenom. This state election is crucial — the people of Sabah will decide their new state government. UPKO, as part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition within the Federal Government, offers the best avenue for ensuring development continuity,” Ewon declared.
As Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), Ewon stressed that representatives from the governing coalition have a clear advantage in driving development and implementing national policies effectively at the grassroots level.
“Melalap’s representative must come from the ruling coalition — from UPKO, now part of the Federal Government. More importantly, Melalap deserves a local leader, because only locals truly understand the pulse, challenges, and aspirations of their community,” he emphasised.
Ewon also pledged to restore Melalap’s leadership identity to its earlier legacy — one rooted in local culture, social realities, and the aspirations of interior Sabahans. He reaffirmed UPKO’s confidence in reclaiming Melalap, citing the party’s historic struggle dating back to Malaysia’s formation in the 1960s.
“This time, we aim to produce a state assemblyperson from UPKO for Melalap. May this election align the direction of both the State and Federal Governments in executing development for the people,” he said optimistically, while announcing Junik Bajit, UPKO Tenom Division Chief, as the party’s official candidate for Melalap.
The announcement was met with cheers from thousands of delegates and supporters, marking a renewed spirit among UPKO’s grassroots movement in Tenom and signalling the reemergence of interior Sabah politics as PRN-17 approaches.
Addressing long-held perceptions that Sabah leaders in the Federal Government serve merely as “agents of Malaya,” Ewon asserted that they are, in fact, “agents of Sabah”, championing state interests at the national level.
“Since assuming office, I’ve implemented what I call the ‘Look East Within’ Policy — focusing on Sabah and Sarawak without neglecting other states.
Among the initiatives are the Tamu Desa Project, the Entrepreneur Financing Scheme for Tamu Traders (SPUT), and the Sabah-Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneur Grant — tangible proof of our commitment to Borneo’s development,” he explained.
In a pointed remark, Ewon challenged other local leaders who once held federal cabinet positions to demonstrate their actual contributions to Sabah during their tenure at the national level.
“I have set an example for UPKO candidates of what real leadership means — one that is modern, high-performing, and proudly Sabah-centric. Continue serving and working for the people of Melalap,” he urged, receiving a thunderous applause from the audience.
Also present at the historic convention were UPKO Tenom Division Chief Junik Bajit, divisional leaders, delegates, and over 2,000 party workers and supporters.
The warm and energetic reception in Tenom was widely interpreted as a symbol of political resurgence in Sabah’s interior, with Melalap emerging as a new testing ground for UPKO’s strength ahead of PRN-17 — an election that could well define the political direction and identity of Tenom’s people in the new Sabah era.
