Sabah Pakatan Harapan confirms Ewon Benedick remains state chairman despite resigning from federal minister post
PETALING JAYA: Despite his recent departure from the federal Cabinet, Datuk Ewon Benedick will continue serving as chairman of Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The confirmation came from Sabah Keadilan Leadership Council chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud during a press briefing yesterday following a PH leadership meeting at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
According to Borneo Post, Mustapha emphasised that the coalition maintains its full support for Ewon’s leadership role at the state level.
“Our respect for him as Sabah PH chairman remains unchanged. His resignation was limited to his Cabinet position only,” Mustapha explained to reporters.
The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president and Penampang MP announced his departure from his role as Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister last Friday evening. His decision stemmed from frustrations regarding the federal government’s approach to Sabah’s constitutional right to 40% revenue sharing.
According to Mustapha, the coalition views Ewon’s position as a principled stance reflecting his dedication to advocating for Sabah’s interests and rights.
In a related development, Upko—a PH component party—has recently chosen to campaign under its own party logo for the approaching 17th Sabah state election. This strategic decision is interpreted as an effort to reinforce the party’s grassroots presence while maintaining its alliance with the broader coalition.
