Upko’s Ewon says he’ll stand by Sabah’s 40pc rights, even if it means losing Cabinet post before polls

PENAMPANG, Oct 19 — United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick today said he will resign as a federal minister if the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) files an appeal against the High Court’s ruling recognising Sabah’s constitutional right to a 40 per cent revenue return.

Ewon, who is the federal minister of entrepreneur development and cooperatives, said the decision reflects his commitment to defend Sabah’s rights under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“This is not a political issue, this is about Sabah’s rights and principles. I cannot support any decision or action that contradicts the High Court’s ruling,” he said during his winding-up speech at the Upko Penampang Division Convention here.

The convention had earlier approved a resolution urging him to step down if the AGC proceeds with an appeal.

“Upko extends its highest respect and appreciation to the Sabah Law Society for successfully obtaining a judgment that recognises the 40 percent entitlement as Sabah’s constitutional right.

“Upko also insists that both the federal and state Governments must finalise an agreement within 180 days regarding the implementation of this right, as ordered by the court,” he said.

Ewon said he took full responsibility for the resolution and would raise the issue at the next federal Cabinet meeting next Friday.

He said the meeting would be the platform for him to formally convey Upko’s stand — that the federal government must instruct the AGC not to appeal the High Court’s decision in Kota Kinabalu.

Ewon said he had conveyed his recommendation to all Cabinet members, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the two Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusoft.

The court ruling was delivered last Friday, two days after the previous federal Cabinet meeting.

“After this, I will bring the matter to next week’s meeting so that the party’s resolution and position are officially recorded in the Cabinet,” he said.

Ewon said that if an appeal is filed within the next 30 days, he will uphold the party’s resolution by resigning from the federal Cabinet.

“The party Constitution, under Clause 5, clearly outlines our commitment to defending the foundation and spirit of Malaysia’s formation in line with MA63, and to uphold the Federal Constitution as the supreme law of the land,” he said.

He reiterated that the High Court has recognised the 40 per cent entitlement as Sabah’s constitutional right.

“I am prepared to resign from the federal Cabinet in order to respect and defend Sabah’s constitutional rights and the spirit of the formation of Malaysia,” he said.

The Election Commission has set November 29 as polling day for the 17th Sabah state election, with nominations on November 15 and early voting on November 25. 

The official 14-day campaign period will run from November 15 to 28.

[Source: Malay Mail]