KOTA KINABALU: UPKO Youth has distanced itself from its chief, Arthur Sen’s claim that the reappointment of 18 Supreme Council members by acting president Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau was not in compliance with the party’s constitution.
UPKO Youth deputy chief Kennedy John Angian clarified in a statement yesterday that the statement made by Arthur was done in his personal capacity and had not been discussed nor endorsed by UPKO Youth.
“In the last two days, I have met with several senior members of UPKO Youth exco. I have also communicated with many of my exco colleagues and youth leaders in the divisions. Therefore, we wish to clarify that the statement made by UPKO Youth chief, Arthur Sen, published on Tuesday is a statement made by him in his personal capacity. The statement was never discussed nor endorsed by the Youth movement.
“It is the stand of the Youth movement that our acting president, Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau, has discharged his power appropriately and in accordance with the party’s constitution when he made the re-appointment of the Supreme Council members,” he said.
According to Kennedy, UPKO Youth would like to state clearly, without a doubt, that it fully supports the acting president to lead them in the challenges ahead.
“We also believe and agree with our vice president, Datuk Marcus Mojigoh, that any disagreement or grievances that any party member may have should have been addressed within the proper channel of the party.
“It has always been our custom and practice that if there is any party matter that needs to be addressed, it should be done within the party as a matter of courtesy and to respect the values that we hold dearly and firmly in achieving the common goal of our struggle within the family of UPKO. There is no problem that is too big that the party cannot handle if we all are united.
“There have also been several proposals on the next course of action to be taken against the Youth chief or whosoever goes against party rules and tradition. We will have to address this in a proper forum in the soonest time possible,” Kennedy said.
