Thirst for Momogun unity ‘crystal clear’ — Upko
KOTA KINABALU: There is an urgent need for the Momogun communities to further strengthen their unity if they want to be ‘counted’ in the mainstream of national development.
“Everywhere I go, the thirst for unity is crystal clear. The people yearn for a more united Momogun. We must all strive to be so,” said United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) information chief Albert Bingkasan.
“The Chinese New Year celebration somehow emphasises such need. This is accentuated in the many programmes which I attended the last few months. We must be more united. Only then can we be counted together with fellow Malaysians in our journey towards a greater nation,” he added.
The call for unity was nothing new, he said: “But perhaps more so now than ever before, a united Momogun is essential in enabling the communities to progress further under the Malaysian sun.”
Bingkasan said this when asked to elaborate about his speech at a gathering at Kampung Pukak, Kiulu over the weekend.
He had said the Momoguns were only about 30 percent of the total three million Sabah population but they had many political parties.
“About half of the 30 percent are Muslims and thus most could be looked after by Umno. So we are left with about 400,000 Momoguns and led by ten leaders. How on earth can we progress?” he had asked.
Apart from Upko chief Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, the others are Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup of Barisan Nasional, as well as opposition leaders Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing, Datuk Maijol Mahap, Darrel Leiking, Datuk Henrynus Amin, Datuk Lajim Ukin and Thomas Angan.
Upko, led by then president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, had tried to merge with Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah and Parti Bersatu Sabah but failed.
“Upko even had a joint Christmas open house with PBRS. Still unity eluded us. If it is any consolation, the three parties - Upko, PBRS and PBS - are already united in the sense that we are all component parties in the Barisan Nasional.
“However, the pulse of the people is for us to be united in one party. We are too small a community to have so many political parties. I for one am optimistic it will one day be a reality. Already in our programmes, we shout ‘Bersatu Misompuru’ and it is vibrating well,” said Bingkasan.
He said Tangau often reminded the people that unity was key to Malaysian progress, but more so for the Momogun as it is the best way forward.