Upko is consistent and relevant: Madius
Published on: Sunday, October 14, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) is still relevant, always needed and has a very important role, said its acting President Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau. Upko will continue to be dynamic, progressive and has integrity, and it will outlive the present leaders, he said. "Today, the Momogun community, the people in Sabah and also Malaysians in general enjoy the fruits of Upko's struggles in politics, economy, education and socioculture," he said at the party's 15th Triennial Delegates Conference at the Likas Sports Complex, Saturday. ADVERTISEMENT Madius said Upko is the most consistent party in demanding the Federal Government on the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah until the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah was set up in 2012. The effort made by Upko which did comprehensive studies and qualitative survey involving 1,000 people in 13 areas in Sabah was the only initiative that enabled all to understand the true situation relating to illegal immigrants, he said. In economy, he said Upko successfully set up the Sabah Native Economic Progress Institute (INDEP), the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) as well as Specific Focus on the Pasok Momogun Community in the Third Long-term Planning Framework (RRUP3) 2001-2010. "Upko has also successfully lifted the Kadazandusun Language through the setting up of the Kadazandusun Language Foundation and also the creation of the Kadazandusun Chair in Universiti Malaysia Sabah," he said, adding the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris is also presently offering a Bahasa Kadazandusun Study course up to Doctorate level.ADVERTISEMENT Apart from that, the Kent Teachers Education Institute also trains teachers to teach Kadazandusun Language annually."All these were unachieveable without Upko.
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"Our children would not have obtained formal education in Kadazandusun Language without Upko," he said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Madius said Upko also successfully obtained recognition for Tadau Kaamatan as a National Day, adding in 2001 the Federal Government recognised Tadau Kaamatan as one of the six National Open House programmes, same as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Krismas and Gawai."Upko struggles like these were less made public, even not being appreciated. Clearly they were a great harvest not only for the Momogun community, but the whole of Sabah and Malaysia," he said. – Larry Ralon