Upko poised for a new era: Dompok

Its President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the party's commitment had never wavered since it was launched in 1994 (as Parti Demokratik Sabah) and re-branded in 1999 (as Upko).

Malaysia, he said, would never be complete without the participation of political leaders from the Pasokmomogun community.

Even political allies in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and the opposition parties have acknowledged Upko's contribution to the country, he said.

"Upko's maturity and achievement can be seen through the accomplishment we attained during the previous five general elections," he said. In the 1995 elections, he said Upko's inaugural participation saw it being defeated in the two parliamentary seats, Ranau and Penampang.

According to him, they lost because the voters were still reeling from the disappointment of seeing the Government of their choice being ousted. In 1999, he said they contested in 10 state seats but won only two, this time because of the winds of hope fanned by the opposition through the Koguli Tokou Wagu sentiments.

But a re-branding exercise by the party in 1999 coupled with a new battle cry Misompuru Tokou Wagu, saw them win in almost all parliamentary seats they were accorded except for Kota Marudu.

Dompok said the people's support for Upko continued to grow as evidenced in the 2004 elections where they won all four parliamentary seats and five of the six state seats contested.

In 2008, the party cemented itself as an entity to be reckoned with when they won all four parliamentary and six state seats.

"It must be remembered that Upko contested in the election using its own limited financial resources," he said.

Although the party secured all the seats it was entrusted, he said they noticed very early of a change in pattern of the younger generation voters.

Hence, the re-branding of Upko to be always applicable and relevant to be the people's choice especially among the Internet-savvy younger generation, he said.

To this end, Dompok said the party must restructure the institution and political platform. They must inculcate credible leadership with integrity and be bold to uphold the belief and ideology of the party.

"Remember, we are in Upko because we want to contribute to the attainment of the party's objectives," he said.

Each party member and leader, he said, must be acutely aware and adopt the want-to-know attitude on the difficulties and aspirations of the people in their respective areas. It is for this reason that Upko has taken steps to up-date the organisation so that it can serve the people more efficiently and effectively, he said.

Towards this end he reminded that complaints and problems brought to their attention must be noted so that the relevant parties can take immediate action.

"Party membership administration must be updated and enhanced just as the administration and management of Upko resources should be organised and progressive," he said.