Upko’s Ewon to quit Cabinet

KOTA KINABALU: Upko president Datuk Ewon Bendedick will be resigning from Cabinet over the Federal Government’s position on the High Court decision for Sabah’s rights to 40% of its net revenue.

The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said he would submit his resignation letter soon in line with the principles stated in Upko’s constitution – to pursue the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and to defend the constitutional rights of Sabah.

“I will be sending a letter to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to formally notify him of my resignation from the Federal Cabinet,” he said in a Facebook post last night.

“I have studied the written judgment by High Court Justice Celestina Stuel Galid in Kota Kinabalu regarding the Judicial Review filed by the Sabah Law Society.

“The position and views expressed by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), as reflected in the written judgment, disregard the historical foundation of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia – including the terms and conditions upon which Sabah agreed to form Malaysia, as recorded in the constitutional documents.

“I cannot agree with the position and views of the AGC.

“It would be highly inappropriate for me to continue serving in the Federal Cabinet when the AGC maintains such a position.

“As Upko president, I wish to see Sabah’s rights fully implemented. This has always been my principle and the reason I entered politics.

“I maintain the view that the AGC should not file an appeal, but instead commence negotiations with the Sabah State Government to implement the 40% entitlement,” he said.

Ewon added that he will convene a special meeting of the Upko supreme council on Monday (Nov 10) to discuss the “Sabah First” agenda, which forms the foundation of Upko’s direction.