Analyst’s take on Ewon Benedick’s move to quit cabinet

UPKO president Datuk Ewon Benedick has announced that he would be resigning over a plausible appeal against a High court judgment that ruled that the federal government must give 40 percent revenue to Sabah.

A political analyst pointed out that Ewon’s announcement have kickstarted UPKO’s campaign in the Sabah state polls.

Professor James Chin of Tasmania University, Australia also said Ewon’s decision has overshadowed GRS representative in the federal cabinet – Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

“I think the reason he wrote the letter is because he wants to make a stand that he is a Sabah nationalist and cabinet discussion is to file the appeal. That is why he says that he rejects all the advice of the AG,” Chin told Harapan Daily.

“I think this is Ewon’s way of stating his public stand. He already said many times he would do this. Several key UPKO branches also have passed resolutions telling him to resign if federal government is planning to appeal.

“With the state election coming up, UPKO’s brand is, we are Sabah based, Sabah nationalist, Sabah for Sabahans, In a way he is really putting the brand out in the open because the two cabinet ministers from GRS kept quiet.

“Ewon is pushing the envelope by stating that he is the only Sabah leader who is willing to keep his word and said that he would resign. Keyword is, “I would resign”.

“He has not resigned because the federal government has not said anything.

“I think it is very popular and sort of kickstarted UPKO election campaign. He is hogging the social media among the KDM groups in the past 24 hours.”

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