By Lesaya L Sorudim
KOTA KINABALU: Recent political developments in Sabah have sparked debate across the nation.
Ewon Benedick’s resignation as a Federal Minister and UPKO’s subsequent withdrawal from the current coalition have been described by analysts such as Universiti Malaya’s Awang Azman Awang Pawi as “principled but poorly timed.”
While timing is important in politics, framing UPKO’s actions solely through this lens misses the broader picture: a party recalibrating its priorities to serve the people of Sabah first.
Since leaving Barisan Nasional in 2018, UPKO has navigated a turbulent political landscape.
The party’s collaboration with Warisan and later with Pakatan Harapan, while intended to secure representation, has at times diluted its identity and sidelined its core mission — championing the rights, development, and dignity of the Kadazandusun Murut community and Sabahans at large.
In the 2020 Sabah State Election, UPKO’s support eroded significantly, with only one DUN seat won, illustrating the growing disconnect between party strategy and grassroots expectations.
In 2022, UPKO joined Pakatan Harapan and successfully secured two parliamentary seats — Penampang and Tuaran.
Yet, even with electoral wins, internal tensions persisted.
New leadership faced pressures from factions within the party who prioritized immediate political gains over long-term principles.
Decisions like withdrawing the originating summons to assert Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement — while perhaps politically pragmatic — revealed the delicate balancing act UPKO had to play between federal politics and local obligations.
Ewon Benedick’s resignation, officially attributed to disagreement with the Attorney General’s Chambers over a potential appeal on the High Court’s ruling, reflects deeper realities.
Although AGC has yet to file an appeal for now, hthe resignation signals a response to internal pressures and a vision for UPKO that goes beyond mere coalition politics.
It is a statement of intent: to restore UPKO as a Sabah-centric party, guided by local priorities rather than national compromises.
The sentiment among UPKO members is clear: Sabah should have a stronger voice in its own governance.
The party’s current direction emphasizes collaboration with other local parties and stakeholders, ensuring that alliances are based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to Sabah’s progress.
This approach is not isolationist; it is a strategic repositioning to ensure that UPKO’s actions consistently reflect the interests of Sabahans, including the long-overlooked demands of MA63 and rightful revenue entitlements.
Critics may interpret UPKO’s exit as opportunistic or a political stunt.
However, the move underscores a fundamental truth — political legitimacy must stem from alignment with the people’s will, not merely from coalition agreements.
For UPKO, this is a chance to rebuild trust, reclaim its identity, and reaffirm its mission: to act as a principled, accountable, and effective advocate for Sabah within Malaysia.
In an era where Sabah’s political agency has often been overshadowed by federal interests, UPKO’s decision is a bold declaration that the state’s welfare cannot be compromised for convenience.
It is a reminder to federal leaders, political allies, and the electorate alike that Sabah’s voice must remain strong, independent, and non-negotiable.
Awang Azman maybe right about one thing — timing matters. But sometimes the right time is not what appears convenient, but what feels necessary.
For UPKO, this is that moment: the moment to reclaim its voice, renew its mission, and remind Malaysia that Sabah’s dignity is not negotiable.
_Lesaya Sorudim is a political analyst and social activist._
