KOTA KINABALU: Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick (
pic) announced his decision to resign from the Federal Cabinet, citing fundamental differences with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) over Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement.
In a
Facebook post on Saturday, he said the AGC’s position, as stated in the written judgment of the Kota Kinabalu High Court, ignored the historical foundation of Malaysia’s formation and the constitutional documents that safeguarded Sabah’s rights.
Ewon, who is also Penampang MP, said it would be inconsistent for him to remain in the Cabinet while the AGC maintained a stance that contradicted the very principles he had fought for as Upko president.
He recalled having personally filed a civil suit against the Federal and State Governments in 2022 to assert Sabah’s constitutional entitlement, which he withdrew only after assurances of further negotiations.
Ewon reiterated that the AGC should not appeal the High Court’s decision but instead begin genuine consultations with the Sabah Government to implement the 40 per cent right.
He said he would submit his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and thanked him for the opportunity to advocate Sabah’s rights within the Cabinet.
Ewon added that a special meeting of the Upko Supreme Council would be convened on Monday to discuss the party’s "Sabah First" agenda and its future direction.
