Upko to contest 25 seats, touts 'Sabah First' on nomination eve

Summary

• Upko will contest 25 seats in the 17th Sabah state election.

• The nomination day is tomorrow (Nov 15).

Upko president Ewon Benedick, who will defend the Kadamaian state seat in the Nov 29 Sabah state election, said he will personally lead his team into a campaign built around the “Sabah First” agenda and the state’s constitutional rights.

“I will lead these Upko candidates to champion the ‘Sabah First’ manifesto and agenda, as contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Sabah’s rights under the Federal Constitution,” he said.

He framed the state election as a referendum on Sabah’s long-standing 40 percent revenue entitlement, and said the party’s candidates were instructed to meet clear targets if elected.

“I will also lead these Upko candidates in offering principled leadership, with benchmarks and performance indicators for each of them, so they consistently do their best for the people of Sabah,” he said.

The former minister added that Upko’s campaign would focus heavily on fiscal rights, arguing that proper repayment of Sabah’s revenue entitlement would unlock long-delayed development.

“With the restoration of our revenue, we can use it to develop infrastructure and amenities, grow the economy and entrepreneurship, eradicate poverty, and improve the well-being of the people of Sabah more effectively,” he added.

Ewon also called on Sabahans to rally behind the #SabahFirst banner as polling day approaches.

Upko’s full list of 25 candidates is expected to be formally unveiled tomorrow, alongside other coalition announcements, setting the stage for one of the most heavily contested state elections in recent years.

Here is the full list with candidate names and their respective constituencies:

1. N.02 Bengkoka – Junsim Rumunzing

2. N.06 Bandau – Suzie Salapan

3. N.07 Tandek – Jamil M Zakariah @ Majingkin

4. N.11 Kadamaian – Ewon Benedick

5. N.14 Tamparuli – Madius Tangau

6. N.15 Kiulu – Joisin Romut

7. N.18 Inanam – Wong Thien Fook

8. N.22 Tanjong Aru – Denninson R Indang

9. N.23 Petagas – Lee Nyuk Soon @ Jason Lee

10. N.24 Tanjung Keramat – Rosday Wasli

11. N.25 Kapayan – Billy Joe Dominic

12. N.26 Moyog – Donald Peter Mojuntin

13. N.27 Limbahau – Nelson W Angang

14. N.31 Membakut – Rowindy Lawrence Odong

15. N.36 Kundasang – Rogers Tiam @ Aloysius

16. N.37 Karanaan – Georgina L George

17. N.40 Bingkor – Kennedy Jie John @ Kenn

18. N.41 Liawan – Wilson Gan Poi Tze

19. N.42 Melalap – Junik Bajit

20. N.44 Tulid – Khairil Abdullah

21. N.46 Nabawan – Juniilin @ Jubilee Kilan

22. N.47 Telupid – Felix Joseph Sitin

23. N.49 Labuk – Norfadzlina Ramsah

24. N.50 Gum-Gum – Peter Jr Naintin

25. N.57 Kuamut – Mohina Sidom @ Mohina Ronnie Sidom

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