Nelson… UPKO remains open to cooperation with other local parties sharing the Sabah First vision
KOTA KINABALU : – The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) has pulled out of Pakatan Harapan (PH), ending a four-year alliance with the federal coalition as it seeks to reassert its “Sabah First” principles ahead of the coming state election.
The decision was made at a Special Supreme Council meeting earlier today, which also endorsed UPKO president Datuk Ewon Benedick’s resignation as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Borneo Post reported.
UPKO secretary-general Datuk Nelson W. Angang said Ewon’s decision stemmed from his disagreement with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) over its interpretation in the judicial review case filed by the Sabah Law Society on the state’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement.
“Datuk Ewon’s decision reflects a matter of principle. He could not agree with the position and interpretation of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) throughout the judicial review proceedings concerning Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement filed by the Sabah Law Society,” Nelson said in a statement.
Nelson added that UPKO’s participation in PH was always guided by the “Sabah First” agenda — a core philosophy the party had championed during manifesto discussions and within the Unity Government framework led by the PH chairman.
However, he said the ideological rift between UPKO and the national PH components had widened over the years, particularly regarding Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue rights, the demand for one-third of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, and the unfulfilled promise of administrative autonomy for PH Sabah.
“Despite UPKO being chosen to chair PH Sabah through a legitimate state-level meeting, the decision was never formalised by the PH Presidential Council due to objections from PKR Sabah. Even decisions made through a proper electoral process were met with open criticism,” Nelson said.
He pointed out that UPKO was later relegated to a “coordinator” role, with election-related decisions still being dictated by PKR, limiting the coalition’s autonomy in Sabah.
Following an internal review, Nelson said the party concluded that only Sabah-based political entities could genuinely represent the state’s aspirations as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.
“UPKO firmly maintains that the 40 per cent revenue entitlement is a right separate from the Federal Government’s obligations under the Federal List,” he stressed.
Nelson said UPKO remains open to cooperation with other local parties sharing the Sabah First vision to ensure the true implementation of MA63 and the protection of Sabah’s constitutional rights.
“While maintaining good relations between the Federal and State Governments is important, it must be grounded in the spirit, intent, and substance of MA63,” he said.
After assessing the party’s four-year tenure in PH and recognising the growing call among Sabahans for unity among local parties, the Supreme Council resolved to leave the coalition effective immediately.
“This decision will be formally conveyed to the Pakatan Harapan Chairman and its component parties,” Nelson said.
He added that UPKO’s two Members of Parliament, Datuk Ewon Benedick (Penampang) and Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau (Tuaran), will continue to honour the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree to uphold the stability of the Federal Government until the end of its current term. – scoop.my
