KOTA KINABALU: Upko's decision to join the Pakatan Harapan coalition is for its multi-cultural stand, says Datuk Ewon Benedick.

       The Upko vice-president said the decision was also made based on the party's aspirations that go beyond one race or religion.

       "Pakatan is a coalition of multi-racial parties such as PKR, DAP and Amanah and this resonates with our party aspirations of becoming a multi-cultural party," he said in a statement Thursday (Aug 26).

       Ewon said this after the announcement by Pakatan chief secretary Saifuddin Nasution Ismail that the application from Upko to join the Opposition coalition had been accepted.

       He also said that this was the way forward for Upko after their rebranding from a native-based party in 2019 to what it is at present.

       Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang said formally joining Pakatan was "timely".

       "Upko applauds Pakatan's 'big tent' approach to build not only a solid block that can provide a core for the next government but also a coherent and feasible governance programme for Malaysia's post Covid-19 resurgence," Nelson said.

       "Upko joins Pakatan to ensure that our aspiration of a decentralised, progressive and multi-cultural federation gets realised," he said.

       Nelson said as a component party of Pakatan, Upko was assured as an equal partner and it would bring ideas for reform from the perspective of Sabahans.

       He explained that decision-making in important areas was often centralised and many policies did not fit Sabah's demography.

       He said for Upko to change the status quo and for their voices and ideas to be heard, it had to be effectively fought on a national platform with a coalition of national parties and required a strong partnership at Federal level.