Ewon confident Shafie would be able to handle PPBM impending entry to Sabah

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Ewon Benedick

KOTA BELUD: Upko vice president Datuk Ewon Benedick is confident that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal would be able to handle Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (PPBM) impending entry to Sabah.

“To me, any type of commitment would always have to be honoured – this is our responsibility as leaders. If we have placed our manifesto, pronouncing our commitment, be it written or otherwise, it is best for us to honour what we have promised…If they (PPBM) can’t honour their promise, they will surely start talking about their ‘democratic rights’.

“But to me, I believe the Sabah leaders will have their own stand on how they will handle the entry of PPBM to Sabah. I will surrender this matter to our Chief Minister as he is our leader – on how we will evaluate PPBM’s intention to come to Sabah,” the Kadamaian assemblyman told reporters when met at an event at Kota Belud on Saturday.

PPBM chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to bring his party to Sabah came as a shock to Sabahans as the former had initially promised that his party would not step foot in the state.

“Personally, I think that it is best for our State Government to be administered and led by a local-based party. This is my stand and I believe Upko shares the same belief.

“We welcome PKR, DAP and Amanah here but that was in the form of a coalition. To me, the state should be led by a party that was based Sabah’s own communities,” Ewon added.