Kennedy to lead UPKO Keningau, Dr Peter retains Libaran leadership

15 June 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Kennedy John Angian has been elected as the new Division Chief of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) Keningau, while Dr Peter Naintin has retained his position as UPKO Libaran Division Chief for the 2026–2029 term.

The elections took place during the UPKO Keningau and Libaran Triennial General Meetings (MAT), officiated by UPKO President Datuk Ewon Benedick on Saturday and Sunday.

Ewon expressed his appreciation to Datuk Dr Laurentius Nayan Ambu for his contributions and service while leading the Keningau division.

“I appreciate the commitment, dedication and support of UPKO members in Keningau and Libaran in the party’s efforts to unite Sabah’s local parties as a basis for asserting constitutional rights and for the state’s future development,” he said in a statement today.

At the UPKO Libaran MAT, Ewon also received membership forms from 10 new founding branches, bringing over 400 new members into the party.

He also launched the UPKO Chinese Task Force in Sandakan, appointing four coordinators to strengthen efforts to broaden the party’s support within the local community.

At the Libaran Division MAT, Dr Peter secured the mandate of more than 200 delegates and observers present to continue leading UPKO Libaran alongside Deputy Division Chief Aspar Jainal.

Ewon said the Libaran division is distinctively diverse, comprising various ethnic groups including Kadazan, Dusun, Tidung, Sungai, Bajau and Chinese, reflecting Sabah’s multicultural society.

He added that the unification of Sabah’s local parties under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, is important to ensure the spirit and vision of Malaysia’s formation can be translated in accordance with the original contexts of Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya.

UPKO has 26 divisions, including one in Perak. The UPKO 2026 congress is scheduled for this August.