The Ranau MP got into loggerheads with the new leadership of his party, the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko), leading to uncertainty over whether he would be fielded as its candidate in the 14th general election (GE14).
At the party’s triennial congress in 2013 he lost the race for the deputy presidency to Wilfred Madius Tangau.
The party election became tense after Ewon challenged the results, suggesting that it could have been rigged, having lost by only eight votes against Tangau’s total of 210.
Ewon, a party vice-president, questioned why 415 ballot papers were issued when only 405 delegates had initially registered.
Despite the tension, he denied wanting to quit the party, maintaining that his heart and soul remained with Upko.
The result was eventually upheld. Tangau has since become the acting president following the retirement of founding president Bernard Dompok in 2014.
In 2015, Tangau also replaced Ewon as the state’s science, technology and innovation minister, making their already sour relations even more strained.
Today, one camp in Upko wants Ewon out to ensure all members are aligned to the party’s goals. But doing so might result in the party having to bear the consequences from voters.
Most residents in Ranau, which is bigger than Penang and Perlis combined, are fond of Ewon as their elected representative.
“On paper, it looks like the party leadership might not want him but the people still want him. He is still a popular candidate,” said Tanah Merah Umno Youth chief and Ranau resident Jasmin Suman.
“He is friendly with the community and has managed to bring development in terms of infrastructure and basic facilities,” he said.
He added that Ewon might want to serve longer to fulfil initiatives that had not been completed, although his move to challenge Upko’s election results did not go down well with other leaders.
Word has it that party higher-ups aligned to Tangau have been looking at possible replacements for Ewon.
‘Ewon doing his bit despite Ranau’s vastness’
Another resident, Georgina George said Ewon had the funds and was doing his bit to bring development, but due to Ranau’s vastness not everyone was privileged to feel the progress yet.
She said there were over 200 villages in the constituency where works were ongoing and these could not be completed overnight.
Georgina, who is Paginatan community development leader, said it was human nature for people to complain that they had not tasted development when it had yet to reach them.
“People in one kampung will complain if they see other kampungs getting assistance while they were still waiting for theirs. But things are being done,” she said.
In 2013, Ewon secured 15,434 votes, beating closest contender Jonathan Yasin of PKR by a majority of 3,611 votes. Julianah Situn of STAR collected 2,559 votes while independent candidate Yazid Sahjinan garnered 914 votes.
About 87% of Ranau’s 39,102 electorate comprise non-Muslim Bumiputeras while Muslim Bumiputeras account for 11% and Chinese 2%.
Ewon replaced Sabah Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Siringan Gubat, who was the MP in Ranau since 2008. Siringan in turn successfully represented Upko in Paginatan, one of the three state seats in the parliamentary constituency.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/04/07/upko-elected-members-cry-foul-over-new-appointments/
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/09/08/madius-%E2%80%93-ewon-clash-in-upko-polls/