By Mohd Ustar Abdul Ghani
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian politics have never failed to evince unanticipated divulgence emancipating from a complex political disposition.
In a more recent expose, Ewon Benedick, the Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development and President of United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) had announced his resignation from the cabinet leading to the 17th Sabah State Election.
Ewon’s departure viewed from a political perspective produced myriad ramifications either within national or state politics.
At federal level, his resignation incurred a more disturbing proposition that the Unity Government is now facing a growing dilemma after Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi’s earlier adieu from the cabinet.
There is a growing belief that the Unity Government is now facing a difficult path heading to the 16th General Election.
Within the confines of Sabah’s politics, a more compelling perspective is unraveling. UPKO, once the heartland of Kadazan/Dusun/Murut/Rungus (KDMR) political efficacy though having been styled to embrace a multiracial concept, is poised to encounter a more strenuous political trajectory.
Ewon’s resignation beckoned the hypothesis that UPKO’s partaking in Pakatan Harapan is headed to a cul de sac.
Being a political party with a strong KDMR penchant, UPKO can now dictate its own political destiny. UPKO, PBS and STAR are often regarded as a mainstay for KDMR’s political struggle.
An UPKO-PBS contest would have not transpired based on the earlier PH-GRS alignment. Both UPKO and PBS are caught and subjected to the political arrangements envisaged by the PH-GRS protocol.
While PBS remained intact in the PH-GRS alliance, STAR, a strong advocate of the “Sabah for Sabahans” mantra have recently announced its secession from GRS, freeing itself from political encumbrances that could have otherwise circumscribed its intention to contest in more seats, augmenting an increased local party domination devoid of federal involvement.
There is now a more promising avenue for KDMR’s reconciliation depending very much on how this political plot could be exploited and explored.
In a nutshell, UPKO’s retreat from the PH alliance could spell a more fragmented KDMR. From a political perspective this could be transformed into an effective political arrangement towards juxtaposing a stronger political alliance within the KDMR faction.
UPKO is now politically enfranchised and has removed all political encumbrances that could have restricted its political choices and freedom. It is expected that the decision by Ewon will heave more support for UPKO from within the KDMR faction.
There is an enormous window of opportunity to explore the possibility of a reconciled KDMR. An UPKO-STAR union will definitely consolidate and galvanize the KDMR’s political strength.
There are speculations that a Warisan/UPKO/STAR alliance, thought out as an ideal preference looming in the horizon.
Ewon could provide a more acceptable middle ground within the KDMR’s leadership. Seen as a better and a more suitable prospect to fill the leadership vacuum inflicted upon a fragmented KDMR.
Though some considered him a greenhorn in politics, he has developed a political skill manifesting his true commitments for the Sabah cause.
He silenced his critics by keeping true to his words to resign from the Cabinet, a decision that could never have been expected from those lacking political integrity.
Though many viewed his decision to resign as premature, it served as a catalyst and a fine example of true leadership.
There is definitely no doubt that his exit from the Cabinet has increased more chances for a more organised and better representation for the KDMR in the August House. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear and that’s exactly who Ewon Benedick is.
