UPKO Membakut Contender all set to implement SabahFirst ideology

17 November 2025

MEMBAKUT: Rowindy Lawrence Odong, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation ( UPKO) Candidate number 3, for the DUN Membakut seat, held a well-attended “meet-the-people” session today, signaling strong grassroots momentum in her campaign ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election.

The event, held in her home constituency of Membakut, drew residents from across the AREA, reflecting Rowindy’s deep ties to the community. As a native of Kampung Bandau, she emphasised that her “Membakut First” platform, promising to put the development needs of her constituency at the forefront of her agenda.

In her address, she laid out a detailed vision for comprehensive development: improving infrastructure, expanding educational access, building family recreation and tourism facilities, and addressing basic social needs.

As she put it, “If entrusted, I will fight to ensure Membakut’s interests are always prioritise, from funding allocations to the kind of policies that shape people’s day-to-day lives.”

Rowindy also reiterated her commitment to vulnerable groups, particularly single mothers and young people, promising to champion programs that support their economic empowerment. Her long-standing work in rural development, including her role as President of the Rural Women Entrepreneurs Development Association of Sabah (USHWANE) — underscores this focus.

Her political experience includes serving as a Special Officer to the Minister of Rural Development and sitting on the board of TEKUN Nasional. These roles, she argues, give her the know-how and connections to serve as a bridge between Membakut and higher levels of government.

The meet-the-people session is seen as a crucial step in UPKO’s broader “Sabah First” strategy, championed by party president Datuk Ewon Benedick. Ewon has stressed that his candidates will run on principled leadership, with clear performance benchmarks, and Rowindy appears to embody that approach.