KOTA KINABALU: Upko's Penampang incumbent MP Donald Peter Mojuntin said the party's decision to introduce some young new faces shows we are going for a transition.

"I think Upko's vision is that leaders must evolve, must change, for the sake of the continuity of the struggle," said the Upko Youth chief.

On the return of Tan Sri Bernard Dompok to contest in Penampang, Donald said the people in Penampang are "very happy about it".

"At last he has come home after being away for two terms in Ranau. I know the rakyat in Ranau are also sad seeing him leave. We hope we will have a very good result in Penampang, as this is a homecoming we have been looking forward to for so long," he said.

As to how he feels about contesting in Moyog previously won by Philip Lasimbang who has been dropped, he said the Penampang parliamentary constituency consists of two state constituencies, namely, Kapayan and Moyog so "in the sense I have never stopped serving Moyog and this has been going on ever since I was serving as Confidential Secretary and Political Secretary.

"So if you ask me whether I am confident, well I can say it looks good," he said.

"As far as Philip is concerned, we have to be proud of him, because he has actually with an open heart given way.

He knows the importance of the party's struggles and the continuity of its effectiveness.

"I am sure it was not an easy decision for our President to make. But decisions have to be made. I feel honoured and proud that Philip, who I regard as my brother, has given way for the good of the party and everybody," he said.

And this should shows the rakyat that the leadership of Upko is not there for the pangkat or jawatan but for the practicality of continuing the rakyat's struggle.