KOTA KINABALU, Oct 18 — The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) will use its own party logo in the next Sabah election, forgoing the common Pakatan Harapan (PH) symbol, party president Datuk Ewon Benedick announced today.
Ewon said the decision was made after discussions within the state PH coalition and reflects Sabah’s political autonomy, adding that it was not unprecedented within the national coalition.
“Our component partners have given their feedback and views, but as of today, Upko maintains our decision: for the state election, we will use the Kinabalu logo,” he said.
He drew a parallel to past elections, noting that PKR had previously used its own logo in the 2022 general election and the Johor state election while DAP and Amanah used the PH symbol.
“I don’t see any issue if Upko uses its party logo to represent PH in the constituencies where we are contesting,” he added.
Ewon, whose party joined PH in 2021, said this uniqueness deserves respect from all political partners, both within and outside the coalition.
He confirmed, however, that Upko will use the PH logo for parliamentary contests, consistent with the coalition’s national-level understanding.
Seat negotiations still fluid
On the issue of seat negotiations, Ewon said discussions at the Sabah PH level were “largely completed” but that the final outcome would only be certain on nomination day.
“Based on past experience, what is decided earlier can still change by then. There can be seat swaps or candidate changes. So, I can only say the final day of negotiation is nomination day itself,” he said.
He also said he had no objection to DAP and PKR announcing their candidates separately, but he would announce Upko’s candidates himself.
However, he expressed hope that the coalition would launch a joint manifesto for the election.
The 17th Sabah election will take place on Nov 29, following the assembly’s dissolution on Oct 6. Nominations will be on Nov 15, with early voting on Nov 25.
