KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Ewon Benedick has announced his resignation as the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister, following months of speculation surrounding his post. The decision was made public via a Facebook post late last night.
Ewon explained that his resignation was driven by his belief that the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) should not file an appeal regarding the issue of Sabah’s 40% revenue share under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
As President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Ewon stated that he would send a letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to inform him of his decision to step down from the federal Cabinet.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for the opportunity to be part of the federal Cabinet, which allowed me to advocate for the rights of Sabah,” Ewon said in his statement.
“Next Monday, I will convene a Special Meeting of UPKO’s Supreme Council to discuss the ‘Sabah First’ agenda, which has become the guiding principle for the party’s direction.”
Ewon reiterated his firm stance that AGC should not appeal the decision and instead begin discussions with the Sabah Government to implement the 40% revenue allocation.
He said that he could not support any decision contrary to the High Court ruling in Kota Kinabalu on October 17, and would be prepared to leave the Cabinet if necessary.
“I believe the AGC will advise the Prime Minister and the federal Cabinet, but given the view expressed by AGC in court, as outlined in the written judgment, I do not foresee any new advice being given,” he added.
“For that reason, I will continue to uphold my principles, as outlined in UPKO’s Constitution, to fight for the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Sabah’s rights under the Federal Constitution.”
Ewon noted that as the legal advisor to the Prime Minister and the federal government, it would be “awkward” for him to remain in the Cabinet, given the AGC’s stance on the issue. He believes that AGC’s position on Sabah’s 40% revenue share over the past three years had sharply contrasted with his own views as UPKO President.
“I had also filed an Originating Summons (OS) against the Federal Government and the Sabah State Government in June 2022 over the 40% revenue issue, which I only agreed to withdraw in September 2023,” Ewon said.
He emphasised that UPKO’s constitution mandates the party to fight for the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the recognition of Sabah’s rights under the Federal Constitution.
“Our struggle is grounded in foundational constitutional documents such as the Cobbold Commission Report, the IGC Report, the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and the Malaysia Act,” Ewon explained.
“Respecting the historical formation of the Federation of Malaysia, as laid out in these constitutional documents, should be the basis for Malaysia’s direction and future. This includes recognising and implementing Sabah’s 40% rights under Article 112C and Section 2(1) of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.”
Ewon pointed out that the written judgment from the Kota Kinabalu High Court, authored by Judge Celestina Stuel Galid, highlighted the AGC’s position, which he felt disregarded the historical context of Malaysia’s formation.
“The AGC’s stance, as outlined in the written judgment, ignores the historical context of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, including the terms under which Sabah agreed to join the Federation, as set out in these foundational constitutional documents,” Ewon concluded. – November 9, 2025