July date for 40pc revenue formula
Published on: Sunday, September 10, 2023
Ewon said the matter was achieved through the participation of Sabah leaders in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) technical committee. - pix Bernama
Kota Kinabalu: The Federal Government has agreed to finalise the implementation of the formula for Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue by July next year, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) President Datuk Ewon Benedick said.
Ewon, who is also Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, said the matter was achieved through the participation of Sabah leaders in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) technical committee.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This was decided in the committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof). I was also a part of the committee and the decision stated that we need to finalise the mechanism for the 40 per cent revenue.
“A working committee has been set up and chaired by (Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Speciall Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali to draft the mechanism before being brought to the council again.
“Because there’s a timeline. If we make a decision without a timeline it’ll be challenging.
“That’s why in the Cabinet, it’s my duty to ensure this timeline is met,” he said after Upko’s national convention here Saturday, adding the percentage of the special grant under Article 112D was improved and the Federal Government will regazette it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ewon also shared that Upko would focus on strengthening cooperation between political parties that are supporting the Unity Government in Sabah.
Ewon said Upko needed to win more seats in the upcoming Sabah state election but clarified that the number of seats and wins would really depend on effective leadership and machinery approach in contested areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was his duty as president, Ewon said to determine where to contest and to prepare for the election.
“I don’t want to make the decision based on mere desires but supported by a strong foundation as we want to win, not lose,” he added.
Nevertheless, Upko would not align with any political alliance that thrives on religious and racial extremism.
“I will never support a political or government bloc that has an extreme racial and religious agenda.
“As a multi-racial party which has the support of Orang Asal (indigenous people), I want Upko to reject this political ideology.
“We also condemn the statements by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which are getting more extreme by the day and could destroy the country,” said the Penampang MP.
Making his first policy speech since taking over as president from Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau in January, Benedick rallied party members to instead continue backing the Federal unity government’s reform agenda under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the agenda, among others, involved improvement of the nation’s economic structure, separating the functions of the Attorney General (AG) and Public Prosecutor (PP), a political funding law as well as laws to address 3R (race, religion and royal institution) issues.
“Upko supports the economic reforms initiated by the Prime Minister as highlighted in the launch of the Madani Economic Framework where the government has set a vision to raise the ceiling in order to improve the economy including introducing a progressive wage policy for the private sector and improving the wages of the public service sector.
“The government has also discussed the agenda of separating the functions of the AG and the PP.
“Upko wants this reform to be implemented during the term of the Prime Minister’s leadership.
“This reform agenda also includes legislation to deal with 3R issues. Personally, I agree that the Sedition Act should be maintained to deal with issues involving Royal institutions, while new legislation should be enacted to deal with issues involving race and religion.
“Upko also supports the drafting of the Political Funding Act so that the democratic governance of the country through party activities will be better guided,” said the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister.
On the Sabah state election, Benedick said Upko must win more seats in the coming polls than it did in the Sept 26, 2020, snap state election where it won only one of 12 seats contested – Kadamaian, which Benedick contested.
He said, however, that success in the seats to be contested depended on the leadership and machinery in the respective areas.
“We must defend Kadamaian and win in other areas.
“This means Upko must and should contest more seats in the coming state election.
“I want to give an indicator to all who aspire to become candidates and win support from the people – make Kadamaian your inspiration and motivation,” he said.
Benedick said Kadamaian, which comes under the Kota Belud parliamentary area, became Upko’s stronghold due to the approach and creativity of the leadership there.
Upko is part of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led state government together with its other Pakatan colleagues DAP and PKR.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
