PENAMPANG: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke voiced concern that Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick’s remarks about Sabah losing its advantage under national coalitions could divide voters at a sensitive moment.
He said framing federal-linked parties as a threat to Sabah’s identity was unhelpful, especially when all Pakatan Harapan and DAP candidates in the state election are Sabah-born.
Loke added that it was contradictory for Ewon to paint peninsula leaders as adversaries while still serving as a Federal Minister until his resignation takes effect in December.
He cautioned that such narratives risk fuelling unnecessary anti-federal sentiment when unity is needed to navigate a closely contested election where no single bloc is expected to form the government on its own.
Loke said progress for Sabah rests on cooperation between state and federal leaders, speaking alongside Likas's candidate Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Datuk Jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan), Datuk Chan Fong Hin (Tanjung Aru) and Desmond Chong (Luyang).
