Kota Kinabalu – – The President of United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Ewon Benedick, has expressed disagreement with former Sabah Chief Minister Harris Salleh over the issue of Sabah’s 40 percent revenue entitlement.

Ewon, who also serves as Sabah’s Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, said the 40 percent entitlement was a key condition in Sabah’s agreement to form the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.

“I have read the former Chief Minister’s statement suggesting it would be better not to pursue the 40 percent payment, but instead push the federal government to upgrade infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and roads.

“As UPKO President, I cannot agree with that view because the 40 percent right was a fundamental condition of Sabah’s participation in the formation of Malaysia,” he said when met by reporters after the Sabah Ports Authority Excellent Service Awards ceremony.

Ewon was responding to Harris Salleh’s remarks that Sabah should prioritise development demands over pursuing the 40 percent revenue claim.

He stressed that without acceptance of such terms, Sabah would not have agreed to form Malaysia, adding that the matter is enshrined under Article 112 of the Federal Constitution.

“Without Sabah, there would be no country called Malaysia. Development responsibilities such as building schools, hospitals, highways, and ensuring security are already under the Federal Government’s obligations, as outlined in the Constitution.

“We have the Federal List, State List, and Concurrent List. These are separate matters. The 40 percent right is a constitutional obligation that must be fulfilled,” he said.

Ewon added that UPKO’s position remains firm and aligned with the Sabah government’s approach of pursuing the matter through government-to-government channels, seeking the restoration of the 40 percent entitlement which has been deferred since 1974.

He also said UPKO supports all efforts by Sabahans to raise awareness on the issue, including legal avenues, academic discourse, and public forums.

“As Deputy Chief Minister representing UPKO, there is a responsibility to ensure that the appropriate channels between governments are utilised,” he said, noting that Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor has also taken a firm stance on the matter.

Ewon expects the issue to be a key topic of debate in the upcoming Sabah State Legislative Assembly sitting next week.