KUALA LUMPUR – UPKO Honorary President, Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, slammed the statement by DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke, who described Datuk Ewon Benedick’s resignation from the Federal Cabinet as ‘playing to the gallery’.
Madius stressed that the decision by Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also UPKO President, to resign from the Federal Cabinet was consistent with his earlier pledge — to step down should the Attorney General file an appeal against the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruling on Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement.
Confusion arose when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously stated that the Federal Government would not appeal the ruling, yet government officials later confirmed that the Attorney General would still appeal parts of it. The move was seen as contradicting the government’s earlier position.
“How do you say that you are not appealing against the ruling but only portions of it? It is either you appeal or you’re not,” Madius said in a statement to the media.
Madius noted that the people of Sabah welcomed Ewon’s decision to resign, which was announced through an official statement rather than before a cheering crowd.
The Tuaran MP further explained that the phrase ‘main wayang’ (playing to the gallery) is more accurately directed at leaders who deliver speeches filled with half-truths while showcasing their oratory skills — as seen during the recent PKR candidate announcement.
He also took a swipe at the Prime Minister, suggesting that Anwar appeared to be stalling in resolving Sabah’s 40% revenue claim by merely announcing that negotiations between the Federal Government and the state had begun.
Anwar had previously stated during Malaysia Day celebrations in Kuching in 2023 that his responsibility as Prime Minister was to implement the promises and agreements made by Malaysia’s founding leaders at the nation’s formation.
In the Prime Minister’s own words: “Some other matters that have been guaranteed are not open for negotiation but for implementation (Beberapa perkara lain yang termaktub saya telah beri jaminan bukan untuk di runding, tetapi untuk dilaksanakan.”
Madius reminded that the procedure for payments to Sabah and Sarawak had been outlined since 1963. Article 112C and Section 2(1) of Part IV, Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution clearly stipulate Sabah’s right to receive 40% of net federal revenue derived from the state.
“So there should not be any hold up in complying with the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruling, unless certain parties continue ‘playing to the gallery’ for motives only they themselves know,” he said. – November 18, 2025