KOTA KINABALU: Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick has said that the people should judge his work and performance after five years.
The newly elected Deputy Chief Minister III said his focus is now on pursuing Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement and state rights.
While acknowledging that many were upset with Upko’s decision to work with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and its federal and local partners following the Nov 29 state election, Ewon said his priority has always been, and will remain, Sabah’s interests first.
Before the polls, Upko had ceased cooperation with Pakatan Harapan and centred its campaigns around the Sabah First agenda.
“It’s now a unity government and we want to move forward.We can pursue the 40% entitlement within the unity government.
“We must understand that the new state Cabinet is primarily composed of local parties, with only two representatives from non-local parties,” said the Sabah Industry, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister when met after opening a new roofing company in Penampang yesterday.
Upko, which won three seats, was among the first parties to visit Istana Negeri to pledge support for GRS as the coalition retained its mandate to govern the state.
Ewon said the composition of the new government is stronger than the previous one and that as such, they were ready to work with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
