‘Upko left BN as people wanted change’
TUARAN: The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) said it left Barisan Nasional (BN) to set up a new Sabah government with Parti Warisan Sabah and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in response to the people’s desire for change.
Its acting president, Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, said the number of votes polled in Sabah showed Warisan and PH having the advantage.
“For the state seats, Warisan and PH won 57 per cent of the popular vote while for the parliamentary seats, Warisan and PH obtained 60 per cent of the votes. Based on the vote percentage, we see that people wanted change and want a new government.
“Furthermore, the Federal Government has also changed.
“BN is no longer the government. Therefore, Upko’s Supreme Council made the decision to leave BN and set up a new Sabah government with Warisan and PH... this is what the people want,” he said.
Madius, who is also Sabah deputy chief minister, said this at a gathering in Kampung Tibabar, Kiulu near here, yesterday.
He is also Tuaran member of parliament and was made a nominated assemblyman before being appointed as deputy chief minister and state minister of trade and industry.
He thanked voters for their confidence in him.
“I know the Tuaran community, especially in Kiulu, has great hope for me to continue developing the area. We are planning what we will do in this new scenario. We also need the people to be of one heart… and regard the last election as a lesson.”
He said being new, the state government had many tasks, including reviewing the policies of the previous administration.
“For example, the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) — the Sabah Rural Development Ministry will review the system and present it to the state cabinet. The JKKK system in the peninsula has been abolished but we feel that it is still necessary in Sabah, albeit with some adjustments,” he said, adding that the state government had also directed the new Law and Native Affairs Ministry to review the Native Court system.