PENAMPANG, May 30 — United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) President Datuk Ewon Benedick has welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s commitment to implement Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement as provided under the Federal Constitution, including the increase of interim payments to the state from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion.

Ewon, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and the state’s Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, described the announcement as a clear indication of the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing Sabah’s longstanding revenue rights while discussions on the final implementation mechanism continue.

“On behalf of UPKO, I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to honour Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement and the decision to increase the interim payment to RM1.5 billion,” he said.
He made the remarks after attending the 2026 Sabah State Kaamatan Festival celebration at Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang, which was officiated by the Prime Minister.

Ewon said UPKO would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring Sabah’s rights in accordance with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.
Commenting on the Kaamatan celebration, he described the festival as an important platform for strengthening unity among Sabah’s diverse communities.

“Kaamatan is not merely a cultural celebration. It is also a symbol of gratitude, unity and the identity of the people of Sabah, which must be preserved and passed on to future generations,” he said.

Ewon was responding to Anwar’s statement reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue rights as stipulated under the Federal Constitution and MA63.

In his speech, Anwar said ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and the Sabah Government are focused on finalising the implementation mechanism, including legal and financial aspects related to federal-state relations.

Pending the conclusion of those negotiations, the Prime Minister announced that the interim payment to Sabah would be increased from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion.