Upko exits Harapan over revenue issue, lack of autonomy
The Sabah-based Upko will leave the Pakatan Harapan coalition with immediate effect, following a decision at the party’s supreme council meeting today.
In a statement, Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang cited disagreements over the Sabah revenue issue and Sabah Harapan’s lack of autonomy as the reasons to leave.
The Sabah-based Upko will leave the Pakatan Harapan coalition with immediate effect, following a decision at the party’s supreme council meeting today.
In a statement, Upko secretary-general Nelson Angang cited disagreements over the Sabah revenue issue and Sabah Harapan’s lack of autonomy as the reasons to leave.
“After considering the four years of involvement in Sabah, and the call of Sabahans for Sabah parties to unite, starting with this election, the Upko supreme council special meeting has decided to withdraw from Harapan immediately.
“This decision will be officially communicated to the Harapan chairperson and Harapan component parties,” he said.
The decision followed Upko president Ewon Benedick’s resignation as entrepreneur and cooperatives development minister on Saturday over the revenue issue.
Nelson said the meeting fully supported Ewon’s decision to resign.
In his statement, he said Upko has always made “Sabah First” its agenda throughout its time in Harapan, but there has been a widening gap in interpretation, views, and stance between it and national Harapan parties regarding various demands.
These are the demands for Sabah to be given 40 percent of federal revenue from the state, for one-third of parliamentary seats to comprise constituencies from Sabah and Sarawak, and for Harapan’s Sabah chapter to be given autonomy.
READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | What High Court's 40pct revenue ruling means for Sabah
Chairpersonship
However, Upko’s chairpersonship of Sabah Harapan was never resolved by the Harapan presidential council due to objections from Sabah PKR.
“Moreover, Upko was openly criticised, although the decision was made through an election managed by administrators from Harapan headquarters.
“The Upko president was then appointed as a ‘coordinator’, but decisions regarding Harapan’s election preparations were decided by PKR without true autonomy for Sabah Harapan, contrary to what has been announced,” Nelson said.
He said Upko has concluded that only Sabah local parties truly understand the “pulse, spirit, vision, and dreams for Sabah’s future”, and is prepared to work with other local parties to champion the Sabah First agenda.
In the meantime, the party’s two MPs will continue to serve their term in office.
