‘Upko is beyond claim as Kadazandusun Murut party’
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation acting president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau says party has earned its spot among many others claiming to fight for the ethnic group
Question: How is the seat allocation for Upko? Will there be any swaps?
Answer: The number of seats remains the same, which is four parliamentary and six state seats. We will defend all.
Q: On seats that were lost in the previous election, will Upko field first-timers, experienced candidates or retain the same contenders?
A: We only have four parliamentary and six state seats. Although there are not many seats given to us, to choose a candidate is quite challenging. In Upko, we have a big pool of leaders. We have many to choose from. This time, there will be a mix of young candidates and veterans. We are also trying to include women. But at the end of the day, the decision will be based on the candidates’ winnability.
Q: Upko won three parliamentary seats and four state seats in GE13. What will the party focus on wresting back the lost seats (Penampang parliamentary seat, Moyog and Bingkor state seats)?
A: On the lost seats, we will do the necessary to regain them.
Among our key strategies is to have winnable candidates who are well known in the area, have leadership qualities and, of course, we will be guided by feedback from the people.
One of the weaknesses we have identified in the last election is that we did not seem to work like a Barisan Nasional team. This time, we will do so. For example, there will be one machinery in one polling centre so we can work together.
Q: How will Upko face multicorner challenges with more local opposition parties forming and pacts being made? What are the party’s chances? A:
We believe that Upko core supcandiporters are solid. More dates participating in the election is better for us as people also have more choice.
Q: Some Kadazandusun Murut-based (KDM) opposition parties are joining forces. How does Upko see ethnic-based politics evolving in Sabah, especially in rural areas?
A: Any political party can claim that they are KDM-based, but in the end, they have to earn the spot. Upko has done this for the community, so we are beyond claims that we are a KDM party.
We have carried out programmes, and come up with policies catering to the community. For example, the teaching of Kadazandusun Language and Bible Knowledge in schools.
There are more than 1,000 students taking up Bible Knowledge and we have assisted them by providing textbooks.
Q: The party lost its stalwart Datuk Siringan Gubat recently, the Paginatan assemblyman and acting deputy president. This may impact planning and preparations. How is the party coping with his death?
A: It has been taken care of. The late Datuk Siringan had expressed his intention to retire, but I had advised him not to announce it yet. I must say Datuk Siringan had set a good example for Upko leaders on how to conduct themselves when they are not selected as candidates.
Q: Issues like the 13 additional state seats may also be used by the opposition for leverage if it is not passed by Parliament in time for the election. How will the party counter this? A: Upko is equally concerned that the issue has not been submitted to Parliament. In fact, we have identified the seats that we like to contest. On the other hand, perhaps this is an important concern to be considered because the 13 seats are state seats, and not new parliamentary seats. There are no new parliamentary seats because we do not have twothirds in Parliament.