Upko president Ewon Benedick has challenged DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook’s dedication to Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement, following Loke’s accusation that Ewon was simply “playing to the gallery” with his Cabinet resignation.
Ewon emphasised his steady advocacy on the matter, pointing to repeated discussions in Cabinet during late 2022, 2023, and 2024, including after the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s ruling on October 17.
“Over these three years, did you push for Sabah’s 40% entitlement and insist on its immediate enforcement in Cabinet? I know the answer,” Ewon stated.
He also countered Loke’s advice to confront the attorney-general directly.
Ewon revealed that the attorney-general had joined several Cabinet sessions, where he once proposed tabling a bill in Parliament to address Sabah’s 40% revenue share.
“That was my position. What was yours in that meeting?” Ewon questioned the transport minister.
Ewon stepped down as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister last week, protesting the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ stance on the High Court decision that declared the federal government’s decades-long failure to grant Sabah its 40% net revenue share unlawful.
Loke responded yesterday, claiming Ewon aimed to portray himself as a hero through the resignation, and urged the Penampang MP to battle the issue within Cabinet by taking on the prime minister and attorney-general.
“Then I will call you a hero,” Loke remarked.
