DAP Sabah chief Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe (sixth from left), Ewon, PKR Sabah chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (fourth from right), Amanah Sabah chief Lahirul Latigu (third from right) and leaders from the four parties during the press conference.
Ewon succeeds Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew who led PH Sabah since 2017.
KOTA KINABALU : – United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (UPKO) president Datuk Ewon Benedick has been elected as the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah chairman.
He succeeds Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew who led PH Sabah since 2017 and will lead PH Sabah for the 2024-2026 term.
Ewon, who is also Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister was elected to the position during Sabah PH’s general meeting held here on Sunday.
PH Sabah is made up of UPKO, PKR Sabah, DAP Sabah and Amanah Sabah.
Speaking to reporters after the four-hour long meeting, where representatives of the four parties were seen walking in and out of the meeting room, Ewon described the appointment as a significant responsibility to ensure that the Sabah PH machinery and the MADANI government can provide a better future for the people of Sabah.
”Today fulfills the requirements of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) constitution and democracy within the PH coalition. One of the key decisions made during the general meeting was the election of the chairman of Sabah PH.”
“It is a heavy challenge to lead Sabah PH for the next term, especially given the many issues we must fight for to bring the development needed by the people of Sabah.”
“This includes advocating for the demands of the people of Sabah related to their rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and ensuring that the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Unity Government at the federal level remains stable,” said Ewon.
This stability is crucial to leading Malaysia and ensuring that Sabah and other states in Malaysia continue to progress under the Prime Minister’s administration, he added.
Ewon expressed gratitude to Liew for her significant contributions during her tenure as PH Sabah chairman and he pointed out that PH’s position as part of the Sabah government is largely due to the role played by Liew throughout her time as chairman.
He added that PH’s central leadership will be informed about the proceedings of the meeting and the appointment of the new state chairman.
When asked for his plans as the newly elected PH Sabah chairman, Ewon said he will call for a meeting this month to discuss major issues.
This, he said, will ensure that PH Sabah is prepared not only for upcoming elections but also for enabling the MADANI government to assist the people of Sabah in obtaining their basic development rights, constitutional rights, and a better future under the current administration led by the Prime Minister.
When asked what it means for PH Sabah to be led by a local party, Ewon replied that while it provides a new face to the coalition what is more important is that PH is part of something larger under the Unity Government led by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Whether Sabah PH is led by PKR, DAP, Amanah, or UPKO, the responsibility remains the same, to ensure a better future for Sabah within the Federation of Malaysia.
“For us, leadership roles are secondary. Our primary goal in PH is to ensure a better future, which is why we have worked well under the previous chairman and, hopefully, will continue to do so under the new chairman.
“This is the aim of PH Sabah, to participate in the country’s leadership and democratic processes,” he said.
When asked about the meeting and the fact that representatives from the four parties were seen walking in and out of the meeting room, then huddled in private discussions outside, Ewon’s reply was that the meeting proceeded smoothly as it was guided by the PH constitution.
“As for representatives moving in and out during the meeting, it is a normal occurrence. Even in Cabinet meetings. I, too, sometimes need to step out to manage other matters while the meeting continues.
“This is normal. Naturally, during a general meeting, there are instances where discussions require a break.
Nonetheless, the PH Sabah general meeting went very smoothly, and I thank all the parties that participated,” he said.
Reporters noted Liew’s absence from the press conference and asked Ewon about it.
He replied that all of them have engagements on their schedule.
“Everyone has their own schedules. That is why this press conference is brief. Many of us are engaged in parliamentary matters, either responding or asking questions in Parliament, and some will be returning to their respective constituencies after this,” he said. – Borneo Post
