Kota Kinabalu: Sabah PKR Chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said Upko President Datuk Ewon Benedick resigned from the Federal Cabinet too soon and should have waited to see what the Federal Government decides about Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue claim first.
“Ewon’s resignation was premature,” he said after attending party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s mandate to delegates at the Sabah International Convention Centre, Sunday.
“Ewon should have gone to next week’s cabinet meeting first to see what they decide. They (Federal) have not even made a decision yet,” Mustapha said.
He pointed out that Ewon seemed to assume the decision would go against Sabah when nothing has been decided.
“No one has said anything about appealing or not appealing the court ruling. There is nothing yet. So it is too early for Ewon to quit now,” he said.
Mustapha said PKR respects Ewon’s choice, noting it shows how serious Upko is about this issue.
Mustapha said they are still looking at how this might affect PKR in Sabah. Mustapha made clear that Sabah PKR stands together with other Sabah parties on getting what is owed under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), especially the 40 per cent revenue share.
“As a Sabahan, I will not back down on the MA63 fight. All of us Sabahans are together on this, especially the 40 per cent issue. We support it,” he said.
But he pointed out that talks need to continue between the Federal and State governments through the existing working group led by Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof — a committee Ewon is part of.
“The decision to increase the temporary payment from RM300 million to RM600 million came from that working group and everyone agreed when it went to the main MA63 committee. Everyone was there,” Mustapha said.
Asked about the Federal Government possibly appealing the court decision on the 40 per cent revenue, Mustapha said talks are needed but it is tricky right now because Sabah only has a caretaker government.
He believes Anwar Ibrahim respects MA63 and just wants both sides to talk things through properly.
Mustapha noted that although Ewon has quit the Cabinet he is still in Pakatan Harapan and the party continues to respect him as Sabah PH Chairman.
He also wants a sovereign fund set up to manage the 40 per cent revenue once both sides agree on how to do it.
“The fund’s spending should be presented in the State Assembly so everyone can see how the money is used to help the people of Sabah,” he said.
