KOTA KINABALU, March 5 — Tan Sri Bernard Dompok today announced his resignation, effective March 21, as the president of the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) he had helmed for 20 years.
The 64-year-old Dompok said the time had come for him to step down and let a new individual with fresh ideas to helm the party in a changing national political landscape.
“I have given my decision to step down a lot of thought, and (engaged in) soul searching. It is not an easy decision for me as party members continue to ask me to stay on. But I am convinced that the time has come for me to pass the baton to the next echelon of leadership,” he said at Nabalu Puru Lodge in Putaton, Penampang, here.
He said Upko deputy president Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau would become the acting president following his resignation, as provided for in the party constitution.
Dompok, who had served as the minister of plantation industries and commodities up to May last year, said he had told party members numerous times that a president should not overstay his welcome as this could undermine the party’s growth.
Dompok said a change in the party leadership would allow for a transformation through the injection of new ideas.
He advised all Upko leaders and members to give their full support to Tangau, 56, just as they had given their support to him up to now.
He said Tangau was ready to lead Upko as he had all the qualities demanded of him by Upko to carry on the party’s work and struggle.
Dompok said that under his (Dompok’s) leadership, the party had come up with various ideas to resolve the problems associated with Sabah, including the issue of the illegal immigrants which led to the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah.
The RCI has since conducted its investigation, and a report is pending. — Bernama
