INANAM: The President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Datuk Ewon Benedick, stated that the celebration of various cultural and religious festivals, including Chinese New Year, serves as a vital platform for reinforcing the unity of the diverse communities in the country.
He emphasised that such celebrations are not merely annual events for UPKO but also reflect the party’s ongoing commitment to fostering unity and harmony among the different ethnic groups in the nation.
“May the collective spirit of the people through this initiative continue to strengthen. This initiative also represents UPKO’s contribution to the unity and harmony of our multicultural society, which has always been a tradition of the party,” he remarked.
He said this when officiating the Chinese New Year 2025 celebration in Sepanggar on Thursday.
The Chinese New Year celebration is part of UPKO’s annual events, which previously included Hari Raya, Pesta Kaamatan, and Christmas as symbols of national unity.
Ewon expressed hope that such celebrations will continue to enhance the existing bonds of unity, ensuring that Malaysians remain united in their diversity.
As the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, he affirmed that his leadership in Sabah is committed to prioritising the development of entrepreneurship and cooperatives, alongside efforts to eradicate poverty in the state.
“That is why I have introduced the Look East Policy in relation to entrepreneurship development.
“With unity, togetherness, and harmony, it becomes easier for us as leaders to focus on various development programs for the benefit of the people,” he stated.
Also present were the Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship of Sabah, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe; Member of Parliament for Tuaran, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau; and the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry of Sabah, Datuk Peto Galim.
