PUTATAN: Upko President Datuk Ewon Benedick said Sabah will uphold its claims under the MA63, particularly the 40 per cent revenue entitlement, when the MA63 Technical Committee meets on Monday.
Ewon, who is a MA63 Implementation Action Council member representing Sabah, said two meetings at senior officials level have been conducted co-chaired by the State Secretary and Sec-Gen of the Treasury from the Federal Ministry of Finance.
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“There are still differing views that require further deliberation. Sabah will defend its solid position that the 40 per cent must be reinstated, particularly within the 180-day timeframe set by the High Court, whereby a mutually agreed decision must be reached. That is my view as a member of the Cabinet.
“But my view as the Upko President, which I have stated in Parliament, is that the Federal Government should withdraw the appeal it has filed that has created a perception and suspicion among Sabahans,” he said.
Ewon questioned why the Federal Government was proceeding with an appeal if it was genuinely committed to reinstating the 40 per cent revenue entitlement payment.
Ewon said he backed the Sarawak Government’s recent move to challenge three Federal laws in court.
Sarawak filed a petition in the Federal Court on Feb 23, 2025 to determine constitutional validity and continued applicability of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, the Continental Shelf Act 1966, and the Petroleum Mining Act 1966 (“the federal Acts”) to Sarawak.
It said these federal Acts adversely affect and deprive the rights of Sarawak to the natural resources, including oil and gas, found in the Continental Shelf within the boundaries as extended and defined by the Sarawak (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council 1954 and the Sarawak (Definition of Boundaries) Order in Council 1958.
Under MA63 and the constitutional instruments annexed thereto, the sovereign rights to the petroleum resources in the seabed within Sarawak’s boundaries, were vested on Malaysia Day by the British Government in Sarawak and not in the Federation or Federal Government.
Ewon said Upko is supportive of such action because such vital matter also concerns Sabah as any court decision will provide clarity to disputes that are similarly being discussed within the MA63 Council.
“I will render my opinion, if the matter is raised for discussion in the Sabah Cabinet. This is my comment as Upko President and not as my capacity as the Deputy Chief Minister.
“At the same time, I will also meet fellow Members of the Legislative Assembly, Members of Parliament, and colleagues from the Sarawak Government to better understand why they have taken such action.”
Ewon who is also State Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, said this at a breaking of fast Persatuan Anak Malaysia Sabah (PAMS) at the residence of its Patron Rosdi Wasli at Kg Contoh Kuala Petagas.
He also announced a contribution of RM20,000 to PAMS so as to carry out its activities of helping people in need and witnessed presentation monetary contribution to 14 fire victims in the village.
