Ewon Benedick’s resignation: A turning point in Sabah’s struggle for its rights

P. Ramasamy

Chairman Urimai

November 9, 2025

President of Upko, MP for Penampang, and Minister of Entrepreneur and Development, Ewon Benedick, has tendered his resignation from the federal government — a decision rooted in principle rather than politics.

Ewon’s resignation stems from his growing disillusionment with what he describes as the federal government’s disregard for Sabah’s rights, as enshrined in the Cobbold Commission Report, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and the Malaysia Act itself.

More specifically, Ewon took issue with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) move to appeal the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s decision awarding 40 percent of federal revenue to Sabah. The decision, hailed by many as a long-overdue recognition of Sabah’s fiscal rights, was celebrated across the state. Political parties, including those within the federal coalition, had urged Putrajaya not to appeal, viewing such an act as a betrayal of Sabah’s autonomy and dignity.

Yet, the federal government appears determined to proceed with the appeal — an act seen by many Sabahans as another affront to their long-lost rights.

As the Sabah regional elections approach, the issue of the 40 percent revenue entitlement is poised to dominate political discourse. The extent to which the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition — still tethered to the PH-led federal government — can resist Putrajaya’s pressure will be telling. Whether GRS and other federal-aligned Sabah leaders possess the courage to defend the court’s ruling remains to be seen.

However, independent-minded Sabah leaders, including those within Upko, appear steadfast in their mission to uphold and advance Sabah’s constitutional and economic rights. Since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, both Sabah and Sarawak have suffered what many term the “imperialist policies” of the federal government, despite periodic promises of reform and cosmetic gestures of recognition.

The High Court’s ruling affirming Sabah’s entitlement to the 40 percent revenue share symbolizes not just a legal victory but a moral and historical reaffirmation of Sabah’s rightful place within the Malaysian federation.

The upcoming election in Sabah will not merely be a referendum on corruption or governance — it will be a contest over dignity, autonomy, and identity. The 40 percent revenue issue will define the political landscape more profoundly than any other.

Ewon Benedick’s resignation underscores that principled leadership still exists — leadership that values the rights and future of Sabah more than ministerial privilege or federal patronage. While Ewon may have stepped down from office, his stature among freedom-loving Sabahans is likely to rise sharply.

The juggernaut for full restoration of Sabah’s rights has begun to move again — and this time, it may be unstoppable.

Credit: Prof Dr Ramasamy Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BZDpYUDHP/?mibextid=wwXIfr