Ewon and Arthur
KOTA KINABALU : – The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), both members of the national political coalition, have reaffirmed their role as “Sabah’s bridge to Putrajaya”, championing key issues affecting Sabah — including the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) — in partnership with other Sabah-based parties.
Highlighting the importance of the “Sabah First” agenda, the presidents of both parties emphasized that Sabah’s interests must be pursued through collective cooperation among local political entities and constructive engagement between the Federal and State Governments, rather than confrontation.
“UPKO and PBRS have consistently brought Sabah-related issues to the forefront within our respective coalition platforms, including at the Cabinet level. Our efforts have resulted in nine MA63-related claims being successfully resolved under the current MADANI government, in addition to four resolved by previous administrations,” said UPKO President Datuk Ewon Benedick and PBRS President Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup in a joint statement on Tuesday.
Both parties reiterated their commitment to advocating for the remaining MA63 claims and ensuring that “Sabah First” development priorities are incorporated into the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030) through continuous dialogue and collaboration with other Sabah political parties.
UPKO and PBRS also agreed that local aspirations must be central to any political coalition negotiations in the lead-up to the upcoming state election, without compromising the political stability and social harmony crucial to Sabah’s development and Malaysia’s unity.
“UPKO and PBRS will continue contributing to unity among the people of Sabah while also playing a role in fostering greater unity among all Malaysians,” the joint statement said.
Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring Sabah’s development needs are reflected in the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), through ongoing collaboration with other Sabah-based parties.
“Local aspirations must guide any grand political coalition in Sabah, especially as we prepare for the coming state election,” Arthur said.
Addressing the ongoing controversy sparked by Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s dismissal of the ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ slogan, the leaders downplayed the rhetoric, calling for focus on long-term state-building.
“Political slogans aside, what truly matters is unity and cooperation to build a better Sabah and Malaysia together,” they said.
Zahid’s remarks have drawn sharp rebukes from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and USNO president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, fuelling an ongoing political row over Sabah’s autonomy narrative.
