KOTA KINABALU, November 11 — The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) has officially withdrawn from Pakatan Harapan (PH), citing unresolved disputes over Sabah’s constitutional rights — particularly the state’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement — and the lack of administrative autonomy for PH Sabah.
The decision followed a special Supreme Council meeting that also endorsed party president Datuk Ewon Benedick’s resignation as Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, in protest against the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ stance on the judicial review filed by the Sabah Law Society.
Upko said growing differences with PH’s national leadership over the interpretation and implementation of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) principles, as well as Sabah’s demand for one-third of parliamentary representation, had made continued cooperation untenable.
The party reaffirmed its “Sabah First” agenda and stated its openness to work with other local parties sharing the same vision. Upko’s two MPs — Ewon and Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau — will, however, continue supporting federal stability in line with the King’s call until the current parliamentary term ends.
