Youngest divisional chief heads UPKO Kota Belud

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KOTA BELUD: UPKO Kota Belud has elected the youngest divisional chief in the party’s history as part of its leadership transformation plan.

The new chief, Ewon Benedick who has just turned 30 this month, won the post uncontested after all branches nominated him for the post when predecessor, Muji Ampau decided not to defend his position.

Ewon accepted the nomination and expressed his gratitude to all party members who believed in his leadership and political approach.

“This position comes with big responsibility and challenges. The expectation of the members is very high and knowing that we have a limited power and resources, I want to assure them that what is unlimited in me is my spirit and desire to fight for what is right for our people, to resolve what need to be resolved,” he said.

Joining UPKO during his final year in university, Ewon has headed the party’s Komulakan Movement which is for youngsters aged between 18 to 30 years since 2005.

He is currently the political secretary to the Minister of Human Resources Development and Information Technology.

With computer science as his academic background, Ewon was a graduate from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka and served as press secretary to Tan Sri Bernard Dompok from 2008 to 2011.

He was sponsored by the Embassy of United States of America in Kuala Lumpur to participate in the political exposure in States under the International Visitor Leadership Programme in 2009.

“I have been very honest and firm in my political stand. I support what is right and worth to be supported, and I criticised what need to be criticised or to be corrected,” said Ewon, adding that he is hoping to work closely with the grassroots leaders and members, especially in getting Kadamaian back to Barisan Nasional in the next election.

His deputy is also a newcomer, Jonwine Sundang who is in his early 40s, previously served as the youth chief of UPKO Kota Belud. Almost a third of its 30 divisional committee members are below 45 years old.

Commenting on the election at the central level, Ewon said he agreed with the party pioneers who proposed Dompok to remain as UPKO president.

“He is of a man of calibre. I worked for him and his is my inspiration to serve the nation and the community to the best of our effort. I want him to stay as our president and give him the transformation team leaders who can assist him to fulfil the objectives of this party. I myself will be defending my position as Komulakan chief,” he said.

UPKO is having its central congress on October 21-22 this year.