THE United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) is raring to reclaim the hot seat of Penampang in the 14th general election.

Acting president Wilfred Madius Tangau said the party’s candidates’ list had been submitted to Barisan Nasional, and that it had been preparing for GE14 since 2013, a month after GE13 wrapped up.

“Upko has only four parliamentary seats and six state seats. In terms of candidacy, we have submitted the names (to BN),” he said during the party’s Christmas open house in Tuaran today.

Upko’s biggest upset in GE13 was when party president Bernard Dompok lost the Penampang seat to young PKR candidate Darell Leiking.

Dompok then decided to pass on the leadership mantle to Tangau, who won the Tuaran parliamentary seat.

Leiking resigned from PKR last year to form Parti Warisan Sabah with former Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal.

It is understood Leiking will likely defend his Penampang seat, pending an electoral pact with opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan.

Sources from Upko told The Malaysian Insight that four names had been listed for the party’s state and parliamentary seats, comprising both new and old candidates.

A source said young newcomer Caesar Mandela Malakun, the son of retired politician Dr Clarence Bongkos Malakun, and former Penampang district officer William Sampil were among the names listed for the Penampang seat.

The source said another name listed is that of former Kota Kinabalu mayor Abidin Madingkir for the Ranau parliamentary seat, with Abidin potentially replacing incumbent Ewon Ebin. – December 27, 2017.