KOTA KINABALU, Oct 20 — Incoming Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick is set to represent Pakatan Harapan in the all important Kadazan heartland of Penampang, taking on former ally and Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking.

Benedick, 39, who is Kadamaian assemblyman, confirmed he had been gunning for the seat, which has been Upko’s strongbase in the past.

"I am ready. I want to offer fresh leadership for Penampang,” said Benedick.

He said that Upko has a chance to take back the seat which was last held by Upko in 2013 by president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, then in the Barisan Nasional government. Dompok lost the seat to Leiking, a first time candidate, with PKR.

"I believe we have a strong chance and strong issues to be presented to Penampang voters,” he said.

Benedick and Leiking is likely to face GRS’ Parti Solidarity Tanah Airku (Sabah STAR) vice president Keny Chua.

Benedick, a two term assemblyman, has been endorsed by the Upko supreme council to replace former president Datuk Madius Tangau at the party’s upcoming congress.

Under the Pakatan Harapan seat sharing, Upko will contest five seats — the others are Tuaran, Beluran, Kimanis and Libaran.

The Penampang constituency has always been a hot battleground where political giants have been taken down. In 2013, Leiking took down federal minister Dompok, while in 1995, PBS’s Paul Nointin, a relatively unknown newcomer, took down Dompok, who had then jumped from PBS to form Upko with BN.

Leiking, a two term MP, won the seat trouncing his opponents in the last two general elections.