PENAMPANG: Vice President of the United Kinabalu Progressive Organization (UPKO) Datuk Ewon Benedick said he is ready to shoulder the responsibility as the new UPKO President.
According to Ewon, who is also Kadamaian state assemblyman, although it is a heavy responsibility, he believes he can assume it with the fighting spirit of all party members.
“I joined this party in 2005 and I have seen the first transition of the leadership of Tan Sri Bernard Dompok to Datuk Madius and today I assume this great responsibility.
“I believe that this responsibility is shouldered not only by the President, but also by all members of the party, especially those in the leadership of the Supreme Council.” he said.
The former Sabah Rural Development Minister said this after the party’s special meeting at the party headquarters, here, on Wednesday.
Earlier, outgoing UPKO president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau announced that he would not seek re-election in the upcoming party polls.
Madius, 64, said he has concluded that “it is time to pass the torch to a younger leader who will continue this work for our party”.
The announcement marks the end of the political guessing game as to whether the Tuaran MP will stand for a second term as UPKO’s number one leader.