Kota Kinabalu: Upko has officially withdrawn from Pakatan Harapan (PH) due to disagreements over Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), particularly the State’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement.
In a statement, Upko Sec-Gen Datuk Nelson W. Angang said the decision was made during a special meeting of the party’s Supreme Council Monday to discuss the Sabah First agenda, which forms the core of Upko’s struggle and direction.
The meeting also endorsed the decision of Upko President Datuk Ewon Benedick to resign as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, after he disagreed with the position of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) in the judicial review proceedings filed by the Sabah Law Society on the 40 per cent revenue entitlement.
Nelson said during Upko’s four years in PH, the party consistently raised the Sabah First agenda in discussions on the coalition’s election manifesto and in talks within the Unity Government led by the PH Chairman.
However, he said, there were continued differences between Upko and PH component parties at the national level on the 40 per cent revenue entitlement, the call for one-third parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, and the failure to grant administrative autonomy to PH Sabah.
Nelson said Upko’s leadership of PH Sabah, which was determined through the State PH convention, was never endorsed by the PH Presidential Council following objections from Sabah PKR.
“Instead, our President was only appointed as a coordinator, while decisions related to election preparations were made by PKR without real autonomy for PH Sabah,” he said.
He added that Upko has reviewed its direction and concluded that only Sabah-based parties truly understand the aspirations and future vision of the State, in line with MA63 and the Federal Constitution.
Upko reaffirmed that Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement is separate from the Federal Government’s responsibilities under the Federal List.
The party said it is ready to work with other Sabah-based parties that share the Sabah First vision to pursue full implementation of MA63, including the 40 per cent revenue rights.
Nelson said Upko remains committed to maintaining good relations between the Federal and Sabah governments, but such ties must be based on the spirit and purpose of MA63.
“After reviewing our four years in PH and hearing the people’s call for unity among local Sabah parties ahead of the coming election, the Supreme Council has decided that Upko withdraw from Pakatan Harapan with immediate effect,” he said.
He added that the decision will be officially communicated to the PH Chairman and all component parties.
Both Upko Members of Parliament, Ewon Benedick and Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, will continue to support the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree to maintain political stability at the federal level until the end of the current parliamentary term.
