KOTA KINABALU: The President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Datuk Ewon Benedick, announced today his decision to resign as a member of the Federal Cabinet.
This decision follows the stance taken by the Attorney General’s Department (AGC) regarding the implementation of Sabah’s 40 percent revenue rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
In an official statement, Ewon clarified that this decision is based on the principles of UPKO’s struggle, which focuses on the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the recognition of Sabah’s rights guaranteed in the country’s constitutional documents.
“In UPKO’s constitution, one of the party’s founding objectives is to advocate for the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the rights of Sabah within the Federal Constitution.
“I have reviewed the written judgment of High Court Judge Celestina Stuel Galid regarding the judicial review filed by the Sabah Law Society (SLS) and found that the AGC’s position in this case has overlooked the historical context of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
“The stance and views of the AGC, as stated in the written judgment, disregard the conditions under which Sabah agreed to join the formation of Malaysia as outlined in the foundational constitutional documents. I cannot agree with that position,” he emphasized.
Ewon explained that as a legal advisor to the Prime Minister and the Federal Government, the AGC’s views have significant implications for Cabinet policies and decisions.
“It is very awkward for me to continue my membership in the Federal Cabinet with the AGC’s stance, which I believe will persist. Their approach to Sabah’s 40 percent rights over the three years I have been in the Cabinet is in stark contrast to my position as UPKO President,” he stated.
In this regard, Ewon has reminded that the struggle for the 40 percent rights has long been a personal and party agenda, including his own action of filing a Writ of Summons against the Federal Government and the Sabah State Government in June 2022, which he later withdrew in September 2023 to allow for negotiations.
“As the President of UPKO, I want to see the rights of Sabah implemented. That is the principle and the reason I entered politics,” he stated.
Ewon also emphasized that the AGC should not file an appeal against the High Court’s decision, but rather initiate negotiations with the Sabah Government to implement those rights.
“I have stated that I cannot support any decision that contradicts the High Court’s ruling in Kota Kinabalu on October 17, and I am prepared to resign from the Federal Cabinet,” he explained.
Ewon informed that he will send an official letter to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to formally notify him of his resignation.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for the opportunity to work together in the Federal Cabinet, which has allowed me to advocate for the rights of Sabah.
“As the next step, I will convene a Special Meeting of the UPKO Supreme Council next Monday to discuss the Sabah First agenda, which is the foundation of the party’s direction,” he said.
