KOTA TINGGI, Nov 10 — Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the recent resignation of Datuk Ewon Benedick from the federal Cabinet will not affect Barisan Nasional’s chances in the upcoming Sabah state election.
He said Ewon’s move, made in his capacity as United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president, had no connection to BN or its election plans.
“We (Umno) are prepared for the coming Sabah state election, as I believe that in any election, all sorts of campaigns and statements will be made.
“Umno will field candidates without any political baggage as we have our own stance,” he told reporters when asked whether Ewon’s resignation would influence voters towards Umno or BN candidates.
Mohamed Khaled said this after officiating a federal school financial assistance programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Felda Lok Heng here today in his capacity as Kota Tinggi MP.
He said BN‘s decision to pair new and experienced candidates in the state election was to provide opportunities to those deemed capable of bringing progress to Sabah if they win.
“BN intends to rebuild Sabah to be on par with the nation’s development and progress if it wins the state election,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled, who is also defence minister, added that Sabah or any state seeking to advance must maintain a good working relationship with the federal government.
Earlier, Ewon had confirmed submitting his resignation to the prime minister, citing disagreement with the federal government’s position on Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement.
He said his decision was in line with Upko’s principles of championing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and Sabah’s constitutional rights.
Ewon remains as Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman despite stepping down from the Cabinet.
Upko, one of four component parties in PH, left BN after the coalition’s defeat in the 2018 general election.
Yesterday, Sabah BN unveiled 41 candidates for the upcoming state election.
