TENOM, May 3, 2026 – President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Datuk Ewon Benedick, has emphasised that claims for Sabah’s rights, including 40 per cent of the state’s revenue, must be pursued collectively by all parties regardless of political affiliation.
He, who is also Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Sabah, said UPKO fully supports all approaches and platforms to raise the issue, whether through the Cabinet, Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives), Dewan Negara (Senate), Dewan Undangan Negeri (State Legislative Assembly), or grassroots movements such as workshops, forums and awareness rallies.
“This includes through the Cabinet, Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara, Dewan Undangan Negeri as well as people’s movements such as workshops, forums and awareness assemblies. I wish to stress that Sabah’s rights belong to all the people of this state, not to any particular group. Therefore, all leaders and the people of Sabah must unite in fighting for them,” he said.
Ewon said this when met by reporters after officiating the UPKO Kaamatan Festival organised by UPKO Tenom at the Tenom Town Field here today.
He stressed that UPKO has remained consistent in fighting for Sabah’s interests since its formation, based on the 17 objectives and goals enshrined in the party’s constitution. One of these is to demand the implementation of Sabah’s rights as stipulated in the Federal Constitution and as agreed in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“In this regard, we record our appreciation to the leadership of the Sabah Government under Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor and the Federal Government for their efforts in restoring Sabah’s rights through the implementation of 13 items to date,” he said.
Ewon also announced that this year a Bill related to environmental management and solid waste is expected to be tabled in the State Legislative Assembly.
Regarding the 40 per cent revenue claim, he said efforts had begun earlier. In January 2023, he had voiced that the claim should start, at the very least, with clear revenues such as collections by the Inland Revenue Board and the Customs Department – a proposal that was among UPKO’s recommendations submitted to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister at the time.
“The State Legislative Assembly has now been informed that this is the official stand of the Sabah Government and it was also stated in the Technical Committee Meeting on MA63 in Parliament last March. Although there are still disputed matters, including the Federal Government’s refusal to share petroleum revenue data on certain legal grounds, we do not agree and will continue to pursue it through government-to-government channels,” he asserted.
On the Kaamatan Festival celebration, Ewon described the organisation of such programmes as a long-standing UPKO tradition in fostering unity. He also listed the party’s celebrations of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year and Christmas as contributions to racial harmony among the people.
“I am happy to see the large turnout of Sabahans, especially from the Keningau district and surrounding areas, who came together to celebrate this event,” he said.
He expressed hope that such celebrations will continue to be strengthened to bolster the spirit of cooperation among the people for the development of Sabah.
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