KOTA KINABALU: Upko remains firm that the Federal Government must honour the Constitutional guarantee for 40% revenue from the state to be paid and that this cannot be mixed with federal development allocations under the national Budget, says Datuk Ewon Benedick.
The Upko president said that the 40% revenue rights for Sabah was a clear condition for the formation of Malaysia.
"In the sharing of federal revenue in Sabah, the 40% right is a condition that was set during the establishment of Malaysia.
"This 40% right is different from the emoluments and development allocations that have been set in the Federal Government's annual Budget for Sabah,
"This is Upko's firm and official stance at all times," he said during his policy speech at the Upko National Convention at the Sabah Cultural Center in Penampang here Sunday (Aug 11).
When asked later by reporters about Upko's position, Ewon said that the federal allocation of RM16bil for development and federal emoluments in Sabah for the year 2024 was "very welcome" but it should be counted differently from the 40% right.
Benedict said that he was pushing for a special discussion on Sabah's 40 % and for a review of the Sabah special grant before the Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16.
"I have discussed with the Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof) and Sabah Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor) to set a time frame to hold the special discussion. I have proposed before this year's Malaysia Day celebration.
"This is my part towards finalising the 40% state right by trying to organise and facilitate special discussions because this implementation is a government-to-government affair.
"In the Federal Cabinet meeting, I can voice Upko's position and views, but I cannot represent the state government's position.
"That's why I want to carry out my trust and responsibility by facilitating consultation platforms using the existing structure," he said.
