PENAMPANG: Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said he will resign from the Federal Cabinet if the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) files an appeal against the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s landmark ruling on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement.
The Upko President made the declaration at his party’s Penampang Division Convention, here, Sunday, following a resolution passed by delegates calling for the same.
The High Court ruling on Oct 17 recognised Sabah’s constitutional right to 40 per cent revenue returns as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Ewon said he will formally table Upko’s position at next Friday’s Cabinet meeting, urging the Federal Government to direct the AGC not to challenge the court decision.
“If within 30 days an appeal is still filed, I will honour the party resolution by resigning from the Federal Cabinet,” he said.
He said this was not a political matter but one of principle and Sabah’s constitutional rights.
“I cannot support any decision that contradicts the High Court ruling. The court has recognised the 40 per cent as Sabah’s constitutional right,” he said.
Ewon noted the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and Cabinet members were already aware of his recommendation through Cabinet discussion platforms, as the ruling came after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.
The party (Upko) commended the Sabah Law Society for successfully securing the judgment and called on both Federal and Sabah governments to finalise implementation within the 180-day period stipulated by the court.