KOTA KINABALU : Tan Sri Bernard G. Dompok, the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) president, will contest the Penampang parliamentary seat, returning to his home turf after two terms in the Ranau parliamentary seat.

"I've been in Ranau for the last two terms and would like to thank the people there.

"It is time to give up (the Ranau seat) and give it back to another son of Ranau," said Dompok, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, in announcing the names of UPKO candidates for the March 8 general election. Dompok will make way for party vice president Datuk Siringan Gubat who will give up his state seat.

Asked on the reaction of the people of Penampang, he said said: "I don't know how the homecoming will be ... I would like to find out, so far they seem to be happy."

UPKO will contest four parliamentary and six state seats under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner.

While there were no big shake-up in the line-up, the party has decided to switch the seats of several candidates and drop three incumbents.

Former Penampang member of Parliament Donald Peter Mojuntin would contest the Moyog state seat taking over from incumbent Philip B. Lasimbang, who has been dropped.

UPKO deputy president Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred M. Bumburing would contest the Tuaran parliamentary seat taking over from incumbent Datuk Madius Tangau, who has been dropped.

Another named dropped was Johnny Intang, the incumbent for the Kuamut state seat. He would be replaced by a new face Masiung Banah, who is the Kuamut's youth chief.

The party has retained Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh for the Putatan parliamentary seat, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin (Paginatan state seat), Justin Guka (Bingkor state seat) and Datuk Bobbey Ahfang Suan (Nabawan state seat).

For the Kuala Penyu hot seat UPKO has nominated John Teo Mau Sing.

In 2004, UPKO vice-presidebnt Datuk Wences Angang lost the seat to independent candidate, John Ghani, who won by a majority of 2,018 votes. Teo, who is UPKO Kuala Penyu division assistant treasurer, said he was banking on support from all BN component parties to retain the seat.

"Although I am new in the political arena, I believe that with the cooperation of component BN parties and the support of various races I am confident of winning the seat," he told reporters here Friday.

Sabah has 60 state and 25 parliamentary seats.