By: Mohd Khairy Abdullah @ DG Henry
DEWAN GAWIR, KG. MADSIANG (Penampang Malaysia), 13 November 2025 —The President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO), Datuk Ewon Benedick, asserted that Sabah’s struggle for its 40% revenue entitlement has entered a new phase — no longer confined to legal interpretations, but now a people’s political movement that will be tested in the coming state election.
Ewon made this remark ahead of his keynote speech at the People’s Convention and the Launch of the “Sabah First” Roadshow, to be held tonight at Dewan Gawir, Kampung Madsiang, Penampang — an event he described as the starting point of a grassroots political awakening for Sabahans to reclaim their constitutional rights.
“We cannot afford to hold conventions in city centres. We are from the villages — we begin from the villages, and we will move across all villages,” said Ewon.
“This is the true spirit of the struggle — the people at the grassroots rising to demand their 40% rights.”
Ewon expressed appreciation for the statement made in Parliament today by the Prime Minister, affirming that Sabah’s 40% entitlement is protected under the Federal Constitution. However, he reminded that the appeal to be filed against the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s written judgment does not alter the fact that the 40% entitlement is a constitutional right, not a political concession.
“But an appeal is an appeal,” he said pointedly, underscoring his belief that the right remains inalienable and constitutionally guaranteed.
He further explained that throughout his three years in the Federal Cabinet, he has been consistent in asserting that the 40% entitlement stands outside the routine fiscal obligations of the Federal Government under the Federal List.
Yet, he added, “the answers I received were no different from those given at Tamu Gaya Street.”
Ewon emphasized that the Written Judgment of the Kota Kinabalu High Court dated 17 October 2025 is now a must-read document for all Sabahans, as it illuminates the constitutional position of Sabah within the Federation of Malaysia.
In his upcoming speech, Ewon is expected to pay tribute to two groups whom he described as “Sabah’s true heroes” — the Sabah Law Society, and the young man at Tamu Gaya Street who boldly asked, “When will you pay the 40%?”
“The fight for Sabah’s rights began with the courage of ordinary people, not political elites,” he said.
Ewon also called for the next Sabah state election to serve as a political referendum for Sabahans to defend their 40% rights by supporting local-based parties that genuinely uphold the Sabah First agenda.
“This movement is not anti-Federation, but pro-Sabah — to ensure Sabah secures its rightful share with dignity within the Malaysian Federation,” he stressed.
The launch of the “Sabah First” Roadshow tonight marks a new chapter in Sabah’s political awakening — a movement from village to village, reclaiming the people’s voice as the true determinant of the state’s future.
#SabahFirst!
EWON BENEDICK
President, UPKO
