Kota Kinabalu: Incoming Upko president Ewon Benedick is set to contest the Penampang parliamentary seat under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner in the 15th general election.
When contacted, the Kadamaian assemblyman confirmed he would stand in Penampang, adding that he was confident facing off against Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking.
“I’m ready to offer the people of Penampang a new leadership. I think we have a good chance (of winning),” he told FMT.
Penampang was previously an Upko stronghold under the leadership of party founder and former federal minister Bernard Dompok.
However, in the 13th general election (GE13), Leiking managed to defeat Dompok with a majority of 10,216 votes as a PKR candidate.
In the following general election (GE14), Leiking won the seat under the Warisan banner with a majority of 23,473 votes.
Ewon added that Upko had decided to contest a total of five seats under the PH banner, including Tuaran, Beluran, Kimanis and Libaran.
The Tuaran seat was held by Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau after he won a five-cornered fight against candidates from PKR, Harapan Rakyat, PCS, and PAS in GE14.
