Doubling of interim special grant recognition of Sabah’s rights claim – Ewon

KOTA KINABALU (Sept 14): The doubling of the interim special grant for Sabah and Sarawak to RM600 million is a recognition of Sabah’s 40 percent rights claim, said United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick.

Ewon said he welcomed the addition, and he expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the decision, which he sees as a form of recognition to the state’s 40 percent rights, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

He said with the implementation of the interim payment, the government has recognised the aforementioned rights, and the next thing to do is to hold continuous discussions between the Sabah and Federal governments.

“I believe that the government of today opens the widest possible space for discussion on the 40 percent rights issue.

“I was in the previous government. I did not see discussions as extensive as the current government’s.

“And I want to confirm that almost every week, matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are discussed in the Federal Cabinet,” he told reporters after visiting The Borneo Post’s former chief reporter Roy Goh at his home near Donggongon on Saturday.

Ewon, who is also Penampang Member of Parliament, said other matters that have not yet been finalised involved mechanisms that need to be discussed and agreed by the Sabah and Federal governments.

He added that as a fellow leader from Sabah, he would like to contribute towards the finalisation of these mechanisms.

“As we know, the Sabah government only presented the official demand on June 18, and I think that during this period, there will be discussions either at the Working Committee level or elevated to the MA63 Implementation Action Council.

“For matters that cannot be finalised at the Action Council, they will be discussed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, three leaders who are members at the highest level.

“These discussions are very encouraging and a good development following the demand for Sabah’s 40 percent rights,” he said.

When asked if these matters that have not been finalised will be given a time frame to resolve, Ewon said none had been set, in order to open up a wider discussion space between the Sabah and Federal governments.

He said the more discussions held on matters that have not been finalised, the better.

Also present were Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Sabah Journalists Association president Datuk Muguntan Vanar.