KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Ewon Benedick, the president of United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) said the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) announcement that it would not appeal against Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue claim shows that his decision to quit the federal cabinet was the right call.
In a statement posted on Facebook last night, Ewon said the AGC’s statement, which claimed there would be “no appeal” against the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s ruling but that it would appeal “defects in the grounds of judgment”, still amounted to an appeal.
The Penampang MP added that the AGC’s stance on the matter “justified” his decision to step down as the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister last Saturday.
“An appeal is an appeal. There is no appeal, but you will appeal the grounds of judgment. That is still an appeal.”
“I resigned on principle. The AGC’s statement today (yesterday) justifies why I stepped down,” he said.
In its statement, the AGC said the Federal Government will begin negotiations with the Sabah state government as soon as possible on the matter.
Could affect Sabah’s right to claim
Ewon cautioned that any move to challenge the High Court’s findings could affect Sabah’s constitutional right to its 40 per cent share of federal revenue.
“The findings and reasoning of the High Court are interconnected. If the Court of Appeal overturns any part of it, the recognition of Sabah’s 40 per cent right could be affected,” he said.
Ewon further pointed out that while the federal government’s responsibilities fall under the Federal List, Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is a special legal right under the Federal Constitution.
“The Federal List covers policy matters. The 40 per cent right is a legal entitlement unique to Sabah,” he said, adding that the revenue share can be used to boost infrastructure, reduce poverty and support entrepreneurship across the state.
He added that the Upko supreme council had agreed that only local Sabah-based parties truly understand the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the aspirations of the state.
“It is time for Sabahans to back principled local parties that can lead the state and champion the Sabah First agenda effectively,” he said. – November 12, 2025