KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement to increase Sabah’s interim payment from RM600mil to RM1.5bil is very much welcome and needed, says Upko.
Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick said this new development comes in the midst of efforts to secure the 40% net revenue owed to the state.
He added that the increase is proof of the federal government’s commitment to fulfilling state rights in stages while negotiations on the amount and mechanism continue.
The Deputy Chief Minister III said Upko will continue supporting efforts towards restoring state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.
He said this in a statement following the Prime Minister’s Kaamatan speech at the state-level opening ceremony here on Saturday (May 30).
On the topic of Kaamatan, Ewon said the celebration serves as a platform to unite Sabahans.
He noted that the people of the state come from diverse racial and religious backgrounds.
He added that Kaamatan is not only a festival, but a symbol of gratitude, unity and identity for Sabahans.
He stressed that these values must be preserved and passed down to future generations.
