Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to brief the Cabinet on Tuesday following Upko president Ewon Benedick’s resignation as a federal minister, according to agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu.
“I heard about his (Ewon’s) resignation from the news. This Tuesday, we have a Cabinet meeting, so we will hear from the prime minister. There will be a briefing (on the matter),” Mohamad told reporters after the Amanah national convention here today.
Ewon announced his resignation as the entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister last night, citing his disagreement with the stance of the Attorney-General’s Chambers on Sabah’s 40% entitlement to federal revenue derived from the state.
Asked if Ewon’s resignation would affect Pakatan Harapan’s position in Sabah, Mohamad, who is also the Amanah president, said he did not believe it would have any major impact.
“I do not think so … I don’t know the finalised seat allocations (for the coming Sabah state election), but I think there will be clashes at the state level. However, all are still under the federal government,” he said.
On whether there would be a Cabinet reshuffle following Ewon’s exit, Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, said it was too soon to comment.
“We want to hear the prime minister’s explanation first. I don’t want to comment further on this matter yet,” he said.
Last week, higher education minister Zambry Abd Kadir hinted that a Cabinet reshuffle may take place within the next two or three weeks.
Meanwhile, asked by reporters if there is already a list for a Cabinet reshuffle, Anwar simply said: “Give me your suggestions, if you have any.”
