Mojigoh and 1,650 members dump Upko
Published on: Tuesday, January 28, 2020
By: Hayati Dzulkifli
PUTATAN: Upko, a partner in the current State Government, saw the biggest number ever to abandon it enbloc on Sunday involving Putatan Divisional Chief Datuk Marcus M. Mojigoh (pic), 28 main committee members as well as youth, women and young generation (Komulakan) wings – totalling over 1,650 in all.
Mojigoh said 38 active branches under the division which totalled 1,658 members have quit the party.
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“Actually I do love Upko which I have loved so long and have worked hard so that the party could be respected by the people of Sabah.
“However, I am pressured by the grassroots and members of Upko Putatan to leave with them for certain reasons. And today (Sunday), with almost all the main committee members and over thousands of members, we are announcing quitting the party with immediate effect,” he said.
Mojigoh who was formerly Putatan MP said this to reporters during a Chinese New Year Open House at his residence in Kg Kotiduvan, Duvanson near here on Jan. 26.
He said only his deputy chief Datuk Alex Martin and one appointed committee member, Jacky Litong, did not join them.
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“We are leaving because we are unhappy and dissatisfied over the unfair treatment by the party leadership to us in Upko Putatan.
“Most of our grievances, grouses and needs fell on deaf ears. In addition, we feel the party leadership is not sensitive to what we want and what we should be getting,” he said.
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Mojigoh said they have a president who never consult the members and the latter did once say that Upko Putatan is irrelevant as well as telling the media not to listen to Marcus as he was not relevant which can be likened to putting a gag order on him (Mojigoh).
He said all of them have prepared their respective resignation letters and relinquished all posts in the division and party which will be submitted on Jan. 30.
He said Upko Putatan members have been excluded from holding any posts at district level such as Village Wellbeing Management Council (MPKK) chairmen, head villages and councilors in Putatan District Council although some of their names have been recommended.
As for his position as the Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) Chairman, Mojigoh said he will not resign and would leave it to the concerned authorities to make the decision.
He said he will stay put as the SAS Chairman as the grassroots and members have advised him not to relinquish the post.
On speculation that he will join Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Mojigoh said he would decide his political future with the members and supporters.
Meanwhile, former Upko Putatan Wanita Chief Habsah Mohd Salleh told the reporters that her wing was not satisfied with the party leadership that treated the division like its stepchildren.
She said they disagreed with Upko top leadership for supporting proposed implementation of the Sabah Pas Temporary (PSS) and that Upko Putatan had collectively made a stand to object to it last month. The PSS has since been scrapped b7y both the State and federal governments.
“The party leadership did not care about our protest on PSS and we feel that the party had no principle or stand on that important issue that concerns the future of our children, grandchildren and next generations.”
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