UPKO Asserts Sabah’s Political Autonomy: ‘Kinabalu’ Logo to Represent State Elections, Harapan Logo Retained for National Level
By Mohd Khairy Abdullah @ DG Henry
KOTA KINABALU, 18 October 2025 – Datuk Ewon Benedick, President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), reaffirmed the party’s decision to use the ‘Kinabalu’ logo in the upcoming Sabah State Election, while retaining the Pakatan Harapan (PH) logo for Parliamentary elections.
This dual-logo strategy is not a mere technical choice but a clear manifestation of Sabah’s political autonomy within the framework of Malaysia Madani.
He explained that this decision was unanimously reached through formal deliberations within the PH Sabah leadership council, aligning with the political autonomy granted by the PH Chairman and Prime Minister in May. As the sole Sabah-based component party within the coalition, UPKO emphasises that Sabah holds the legitimate right to chart its own political course without being entirely bound by directives issued in Kuala Lumpur.
“For the Sabah State Election, UPKO will use the Kinabalu logo, and for Parliamentary elections we will use the Harapan logo. This is not just about symbols; it is about recognising Sabah as a distinct political entity whose identity must be respected,” Ewon stated following the inauguration of the MADANI Entrepreneur Seminar organised by INSKEN in Kota Kinabalu.
Ewon highlighted that UPKO’s position reflects a new paradigm in Sabah politics—one that rejects the perception of Sabah as merely a junior partner, and instead asserts its status as an equal partner in the national coalition. Citing the Johor state election in 2022, where PKR used its own logo while Amanah and DAP used the Harapan symbol, he said such flexibility within a coalition is not unprecedented.
“If it was accepted in Johor and proved successful, Sabah deserves the same political latitude. This is not division; it is a recognition of identity that must be honoured,” he stressed.
On the matter of seat allocations within PH Sabah, Ewon clarified that while the arrangement has been concluded at the state level, it remains subject to change up until nomination day. This reflects a necessary political flexibility to adapt to evolving scenarios and maximise strategic advantage.
He added that the PH Sabah manifesto is expected to be launched collectively as a symbol of unity and readiness, underscoring a holistic and inclusive political agenda for Sabah’s future within Malaysia’s broader national development trajectory.
UPKO’s decision to retain the Kinabalu logo for state elections while upholding the Harapan logo at the federal level is, in essence, a declaration of Sabah’s sovereign political identity. It signals that Sabah is no longer merely a policy recipient but a co-architect of Malaysia’s future direction. This strategic positioning elevates Datuk Ewon Benedick as a trailblazer of a new federal-state relationship model—one that integrates national loyalty with regional dignity.
This move positions UPKO not only as a steadfast component of the Unity Government in Putrajaya, but as a resolute defender of Sabah’s rights and voice. It transforms the coming state election into more than just a contest for seats—it becomes a referendum on Sabah’s political identity, with implications stretching across the national and regional geopolitical landscape.
