KOTA KINABALU: Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu (Upko) president, Datuk Ewon Benedick, has been elected as the new chairman of Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah.
Ewon replaces Datuk Seri Christina Liew, the head of PKR Kota Kinabalu branch, following the PH Sabah election held here this afternoon.
The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister received the highest votes for the position, which he will hold for two years.
In his press conference afterwards, Ewon described his victory as a significant responsibility for the future of the Unity Government.
"I now bear the heavy duty and challenge of leading PH Sabah for the next term, addressing various issues in bringing development to the people of Sabah, related to our rights in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and ensuring the Prime Minister and the central unity government continue to lead Malaysia stably," he said.
The meeting was also attended by Sabah PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, and Sabah Amanah chairman Lahirul Latigu.
Ewon also expressed gratitude to Liew for her contributions as the previous chairman of PH Sabah, especially in integrating the coalition into the Sabah government.
He said that the leadership change in PH Sabah would also be communicated to the central PH leadership.
Ewon, who is also the member of Parliament for Penampang, said he would call the first PH Sabah meeting under his leadership soon, particularly to discuss preparations for the 17th State Election (PRN17).
"We will call a PH Sabah meeting to discuss larger issues this December to ensure our machinery is ready and to ensure the people of Sabah receive their rights.
"Even under new leadership, what is important is that PH Sabah remains part of the larger coalition under the Prime Minister, regardless of whether it is led by PKR, DAP, Upko, or Amanah.
"The PH chairman is just a number two. So, hopefully, we can cooperate under the new chairman just as we did with the previous chairman," he said.
Earlier, Liew, who is also the Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, said her defeat in the PH Sabah election today does not affect the focus on facing PRN17.
She said PH Sabah remains closely united to face PRN17, which will be held next year.