Upko president Ewon Benedick says he is ready to resign from the Cabinet should the federal government appeal against a High Court ruling recognising Sabah’s right to a share of federal tax revenue derived from the state.
In his winding-up speech at the Penampang Upko convention, Ewon said he had already informed members of the federal Cabinet of his view that the Attorney-General’s Chambers should not file an appeal.
Ewon, who is also entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister, told the convention: “I will formally convey this view at next week’s Cabinet meeting so that it is recorded in the proceedings”, the Borneo Post reported.
A resolution urging Ewon to resign from his federal post had been adopted at the Penampang convention earlier today. The resolution supported the High Court’s judgment upholding Sabah’s constitutional right to a share of net federal revenue from Sabah.
The convention chaired by Donald Peter Mojuntin also adopted a resolution urging Putrajaya to comply with the court’s decision and to reach an agreement within 180 days regarding the payment of the
Ewon said he takes full responsibility for the Penampang resolution.
He said the prime minister, deputy prime ministers and fellow Cabinet members are aware of his view that the AGC should not file an appeal.
The AGC yesterday said it would review the High Court’s written judgment before taking any further action.
