Why Sabah’s proposal submitted late? – Ewon

KOTA KINABALU (July 25): United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (Upko) president Datuk Ewon Benedick has questioned Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on why the Sabah Government was late in submitting its official proposal for the state’s 40 percent revenue entitlement.

Ewon, who is part of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Technical Committee, said a committee meeting on May 28 this year was supposed to discuss the matter, but the Sabah Government failed to bring its official proposal.

He said all three Sabah Deputy Chief Ministers were present at the meeting, which saw Jeffrey telling those in attendance that the state’s proposal will only be submitted in June, a month before the promised July 18 deadline to settle the matter.

Sabah’s proposal was only submitted on June 18, compared to Sarawak which had done so in February, and Upko, in January this year to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, he said.

The Penampang Member of Parliament and Kadamaian assemblyman said that the proposal must first be discussed in the Working Committee and then the Technical Committee, and if it is still not resolved, the Special Council.

Ewon said he is unsure when the next Technical Committee meeting will be held to discuss the issue since the chairman is Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, but he expressed hope the matter can still be resolved, especially considering the deadline has already passed.

“Sarawak submitted its proposal in February, while Upko had also submitted its proposal to the Chief Minister in January.

“Why couldn’t Sabah do the same?

“I was hoping Sabah to submit its proposal in February, so that we can discuss it in the Technical Committee meeting in May.

“But during the meeting, Jeffrey had said that the state will only submit its proposal in June.

“What is there to discuss then, if you brought nothing to the table?

“It’s like a college assignment – you already know the deadline, why only submit it weeks or days before? It’s common sense, isn’t it?

“I’m angry, but…yeah. I want to support the State Government. I want to facilitate.

“Upko has done its part. We submitted our proposal in January 9 this year. No other parties submitted theirs.

“So you need to ask Jeffrey why they only submitted on June 18. I cannot explain on their behalf.

“He said there is no progress … the progress must start from the State Government. This is a government-to-government matter,” he told reporters after witnessing an allocation presentation from the Housing and Local Government Ministry to non-Islamic houses of worship at Basel Christian church Malaysia (BCCM) Penampang here today.

Ewon said this when asked to comment on the passing of the July 18 deadline for the finalising of the formula of the claim for Sabah’s nett revenue or special grant.

He clarified that he does not want to be seen as bickering among fellow Sabahans, specifically Jeffrey, as he supports the fight for Sabah’s rights in the matter.

However, the Upko president reiterated his question on why Sabah’s proposal was submitted late compared to Sarawak or Upko.

On Wednesday, Warisan Pensiangan division chief Mudi Dubing said Ewon should have informed Sabahans if extension is needed for Sabah’s 40% tax revenue entitlement and its reasons thereof instead of keeping quiet.