Kota Kinabalu: New United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) President Datuk Ewon Benedick has outlined new approaches to continue the struggle, serve the people and strengthen the party.One of them is “common-sense leadership” and doing the right thing in the right way.
“Our party is already known for its principle-centred leadership approach by Tan Sri Bernard and empowered by Datuk Seri Madius’ servanthood leadership approach. Now, I will continue the leadership approaches by empowering them through a common-sense leadership approach that needs to be supported beginning at our house, Upko, since I believe leadership begins at home.
“Common sense leadership invites us to listen, observe, feel, smell, analyse, think and feel all concerns, difficulties, opportunities and risks on any given subject. Every decision made must be justifiable based on the practice of supporting what is good, refusing what is wrong and continuing what is appropriate,” he said, at the Upko Triennial General Assembly, Sunday.
The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister who is also Penampang Member of Parliament delivered his speech virtually because he had to attend a federal cabinet minister’s working retreat programme with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Kompleks Seri Perdana in Putrajaya.
According to Ewon, the approach of doing the right thing in the right way will assist in the direction of the party’s struggle and leadership, which is in keeping with the goals of the party’s foundation.
“We continue the party’s struggle and service in accordance with the ideals of the party’s founding, we must accomplish the right things in the right way.
“In the party, I want to celebrate democracy. My leadership will not be flawless and I am prepared to face criticisms.
“I value any remark and criticism that is accompanied by suggestions and encouragement because that is the proper method to correct shortcomings,” he said.
He is also resolved to keep working hard and applying diplomatic values throughout his tenure as president.
“I will be friends with many parties without compromising my principles and goals in this party. I want to pass on loyalty and tenacity together with the quality of service, hard work and principles of struggle as a legacy to party members and the people,” he said. Ewon also welcomed former Upko members to rejoin the party and continue the fight to protect the people through Upko.
“Let’s continue to build this house (Upko) together as a democratic, progressive, principled, diplomatic and quality leadership family,” he said.
