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Daily Express
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
‘Sabah for Sabahans' okay: Upko
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 By: Diana Liu Text Size: Ewon during the press conference after the event. Kota Kinabalu: There is no problem with 'Sabah for Sabahans', 'Sabah First', 'Sabah Rumah Kita' or any other slogan being used by the people of Sabah as part of their aspirations, said United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) President Datuk Ewon Benedick. Disagreeing with Barisan Nasional Chairman-cum Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Zahidi who labelled it as 'divisive', he said: Advertisement 'For me, it is a form of patriotic spirit. As long as it aims to foster the spirit of unity among Sabahans and strengthens broader national cohesion, any slogans or similar themes are acceptable.' Ewon, who is also the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, said that there is also no restriction on Sabah-based parties adopting their own political approach, including forming alliances and cooperation with other parties through national coalitions. The 'Sabah for Sabahans' slogan has become a familiar theme among parties wanting the Sabah Government to be led by Sabah-based parties or Sabah-based coalitions, instead of by Sabahans heading peninsula-based parties or coalitions at state-level. Upko and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) are the only Sabah-based parties that are part of the peninsula-based BN led by Umno. 'As President of a party from Sabah, I truly understand the sentiments and aspirations of the people here. That is why I also emphasise that local aspirations must be the basis of negotiations in larger political coalitions in Sabah,' he said. According to him, the people want solutions to their problems, not loud voices championing the cause. He also does not see any issue regarding the political mould choices of Sabah parties, which include forming cooperation with other parties at the national level or with 'foreign' parties that uphold democratic practices. 'I am more inclined to look at the effectiveness of cooperation between parties in finding solutions to the people's problems. 'Our spirit and the slogans we chant must be able to contribute to solving the basic problems of our people, such as roads, internet coverage, and so on. 'No matter how strong the slogan, if the people's basic problems still cannot be solved after decades, then it remains a slogan. 'That is why for the area I represent, I want to build additional strength by cooperating with other parties, including the cooperative movement, to solve the people's problems, because I know the allocation for elected representatives is limited,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
'Sabah for Sabahans' reflects patriotism, not division, says Ewon
KOTA KINABALU: There is no issue with the continued use of the slogan "Sabah for Sabahans" by the people of Sabah, says Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. "I don't see any problem with slogans such as 'Sabah for Sabahans', 'Sabah First', 'Sabah Rumah Kita', or any other themes adopted by the people of Sabah,"said Ewon, who is also United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president "To me, they reflect a patriotic spirit. As long as the intention is to foster unity among Sabahans and to strengthen broader national cohesion, such slogans or similar themes are entirely acceptable," he told reporters after a handover ceremony marking the transfer of Klinik Sahabat to the Sabah Government Employees' Cooperative Berhad (Kopeks) from Sahabat Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia Cooperative Berhad (Koop Sahabat). Ewon was responding to a question regarding the "Sabah for Sabahans" slogan. He said there should be no obstacles to Sabah-based political parties developing their own unique political frameworks, including forming alliances and collaborations through national coalitions. "As the president of a Sabah-based party, I fully understand the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Sabah. "That is why I stress that local aspirations must serve as the foundation in any major political coalition negotiations involving Sabah. "I also do not see any problem with Sabah parties choosing their own political path, including working with national or international parties that uphold democratic values," he said. Upko is a Sabah-based component of the Pakatan Harapan coalition. The Penampang member of parliament said that his priority would be ensuring the effectiveness of political collaboration in addressing the real issues affecting the people. He said that slogans and ideals must be matched by tangible solutions to everyday problems, such as road infrastructure and Internet connectivity. "No matter how powerful a slogan may be, if basic issues remain unresolved after decades, it will remain just a slogan. "That's why in my constituency, I'm committed to intensifying efforts in collaboration with other parties and the cooperative movement to resolve these problems — because I am fully aware that the resources available to elected representatives are limited," he added.
