By: Zaidul Khair bin Jungkim
PENAMPANG: Aug 11, 2026 – UPKO President Datuk Ewon Benedick has urged the Federal Government to pay Sabah’s full 40 per cent revenue entitlement and cease relying on interim payments that are only temporary in nature.
He stressed that the claim requires a definitive resolution mechanism. “If no agreement is reached on the actual amount, an independent assessor must be appointed to determine the sum,” he asserted in his keynote address at the 17th UPKO Triennial Delegates’ Conference in Penampang today.
Ewon welcomed the increase in interim payments from RM600 million to RM1.5 billion this year. However, he said, “interim payments cannot be a permanent solution” as they are only a temporary measure before the actual amount is decided.
Beyond financial rights, he demanded that Sabah and Sarawak be allocated at least one-third of parliamentary seats as a constitutional safeguard in line with the original spirit of MA63. On territorial issues, Ewon stressed that maritime borders, immigration autonomy and full authority over land are “non-negotiable matters.”
UPKO supports the establishment of an Inter-Party Committee in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly to strengthen MA63 negotiations with the state government. Ewon said it is time for Sabah’s parliamentary seats to be increased, given that the current constituencies have remained unchanged since 2004.
Today’s conference also tabled six main motions, including the “Sabah First” agenda emphasising road development, clean water supply, stable electricity, and telecommunications coverage.
He said economic aspects, employment opportunities, and poverty eradication must continue to be government priorities.
Ewon received support to continue leading UPKO for the term until 2029.
