UPKO leaves Pakatan Harapan citing disagreements over Sabah’s 40% revenue rights and MA63 implementation.
PETALING JAYA: The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) has decided to leave Pakatan Harapan (PH) with immediate effect.
The decision was made during a Special Supreme Council Meeting held on Monday.
UPKO secretary-general Datuk Nelson W Angang said UPKO’s withdrawal will be formally communicated to PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and its component parties.
“However, throughout this period, there have been gaps in interpretation, views and positions between UPKO and PH component parties at the national level regarding the demand for implementation of Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue rights, the demand for one-third of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the failure to implement PH Sabah’s administrative autonomy,” he said in a statement.
Nelson added that UPKO has reassessed its direction and concluded that only Sabah-based parties truly understand the pulse, soul, vision and future aspirations of Sabah.
This struggle, he said, is based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Sabah’s rights under the Federal Constitution, particularly the right to 40 per cent of federal revenue from the state.
He added that UPKO also maintains its position that Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement is separate from the Federal Government’s responsibilities under the Federal List.
“UPKO is ready to cooperate with Sabah-based parties that want to fight for the ‘Sabah First’ agenda together so that the actual implementation of MA63, such as the 40 per cent right, can be fought for more effectively,” he said.
At the same time, UPKO also holds the position that good relations between the Federal Government and the Sabah Government must be achieved.
However, Nelson stressed that it must be based on the spirit, purpose, essence and implementation of MA63.
With UPKO’s withdrawal, PH Sabah now consists of PKR, DAP, and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).
Today, UPKO president Datuk Ewon Benedick confirmed he has submitted his resignation letter as Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development.
In a post on his official Facebook page, he announced he will be taking his remaining leave starting today.
Last Saturday, Ewon announced his decision to step down from the Cabinet following disagreements with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) position in filing an appeal against the High Court’s decision regarding Sabah’s 40 per cent federal revenue entitlement.
