Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has played down Ewon Benedick’s resignation as a federal minister, describing it as part of an ever-shifting political landscape.
Saifuddin, the home minister, said Ewon’s move and Upko’s decision to leave PH would have no impact on the coalition’s campaign for the Sabah election.
“No, it doesn’t affect the campaign at all. That’s the nature of politics – the dynamics are always shifting.
“Some people choose to align with us while others don’t. That’s just what we call ‘political dynamics’,” he told a press conference at the Langkawi police headquarters today.
Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang made known the party’s decision to leave PH the day after Ewon announced his resignation as entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister.
Nelson said the decision took into account Upko’s time in PH and the sentiment among Sabahans for local parties to join forces.
Ewon, the Upko president, had cited the party’s principle on upholding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Sabah’s constitutional rights when announcing his resignation from his Cabinet role.
The Penampang MP said he could not agree with the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ position on Sabah’s entitlement to 40% of federal revenue derived from the state.
Nelson however said that Upko’s two MPs, – Ewon and honorary president Wilfred Madius Tangau – would continue to back Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
