DATUK Ewon Benedick has confirmed that he has tendered his resignation as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, following disagreements over the Federal Government’s handling of Sabah’s claim to 40 per cent of federal revenue collected from the state.
In an announcement on his official Facebook page, the Penampang MP said he submitted his resignation letter on Monday and would utilise his remaining leave starting today.
“This evening, I will chair a special meeting of the UPKO Supreme Council to discuss the ‘Sabah First’ agenda, which has always been the foundation of UPKO’s struggle as enshrined in the party’s Constitution,” he wrote.
Ewon announced his decision to leave the Cabinet last Saturday, citing differences with the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) after it filed an appeal against a recent High Court ruling that favoured Sabah’s revenue rights.
He said the AGC’s move appeared to disregard the historical context of Malaysia’s formation and the conditions under which Sabah agreed to join the Federation, as outlined in key constitutional documents.
On 17 October, the Kota Kinabalu High Court ruled that the Federal Government had acted unlawfully and beyond its constitutional powers by failing to fulfil Sabah’s entitlement to 40 per cent of federal revenue for nearly five decades.
Justice Datuk Celestina Stuel Galid declared that the special grant arrangements between the Federal and Sabah governments were “invalid, ultra vires and irrational”, finding them inconsistent with the Federal Constitution. - November 10, 2025
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