Upko sets sights on Putatan parliamentary seat for GE16

PUTATAN, June 4 — The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) is setting its sights on the Putatan parliamentary seat in the next general election.

Upko Putatan division chief Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh said the party has yet to identify a suitable and winnable candidate for the constituency but noted that a successor to his position as division chief would eventually be identified.

He named Jason Lee, Upko’s candidate for the Tanjung Keramat state seat in the 2025 Sabah Election, as a potential successor.

“If he becomes the division chief, then we may have to push him as Upko’s candidate under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ticket,” he said. Upko joined the GRS coalition last month.

Drawing comparisons with Sarawak, Dr Marcus said Sabah should strengthen cooperation among local parties.

“I hope Sabahans will do the same. I hope leaders such as Hajiji (Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor) and Shafie (Warisan president, Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal) will work together as united Sabah-based parties,” he said.

He urged Warisan and GRS to work together for the benefit of Sabah.

“I wish Shafie could work with Hajiji and form a very stable state government like Sarawak.

“Warisan should not remain in the opposition. It should join the government. I am asking my friend, Shafie Apdal, to join GRS,” he said.

Dr Marcus said Upko’s participation in GRS marked a positive step towards uniting Sabah-based political parties.

“We have to make friends with every political party in Sabah, regardless of whether they are from Semenanjung or elsewhere.

“As Sabahans, we should unite as a team to protect what Sabahans want.” — The Borneo Post