SANDAKAN – The decision on Sabah Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) originating summons (OS) against the federal government will become academic when the review concludes in July 2024, said Upko president Datuk Seri Ewon Benedick.
He added that the 12 state PH representatives withdrew the OS after two of the three issues were resolved, and the court agreed to allow the coalition to refile if it is dissatisfied with the outcome of the third issue.
Ewon told Scoop that he declared the OS to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the cabinet during the first meeting, and that he had no intention of withdrawing it until the cabinet took action.
In response to criticism over the withdrawal, Ewon said Warisan supporters do not understand the OS and have failed to appreciate the progress since.
In November last year, he reportedly promised that Sabah PH leaders would not withdraw the OS even if Anwar became prime minister.
On Wednesday, the 12 representatives announced the withdrawal of the OS against the federal government, saying that Putrajaya had made progress as two of the three declarations they sought had been agreed to and would be implemented soon.
The remaining issue is the declaration for Sabah to receive special grants amounting to two-fifths (the 40% formula) of the federation’s net revenue derived from the state.
Meanwhile, Warisan information chief Datuk Azis Jamman said Sabahans feel betrayed by Sabah PH’s move and have every right to be angry.
However, he said he does not support the idea of taking the federal government to court.
“As a member of the federal government, bringing the government to court is never a good idea, especially when those who are bringing the case to court are members of the federal cabinet.
“Instead of taking your own government to court, you can always bring up the issue in cabinet meetings, discuss it internally,” he told Scoop.
“We (Warisan) have always been very consistent in demanding that the federal government fulfil MA63 because it is a legally binding agreement, not ‘coffee shop promises’.”
Azis said that this is why Sabah PH must be logical and consider the repercussions prior to making promises to the people.
“Also, a Sabah PH minister promised that if the coalition wins, return flight tickets from Sabah to West Malaysia will be reduced to RM199; water supply issues will be resolved, among other things,” he said.
State DAP lawmaker Chan Foong Hin, however, clarified to Scoop that Sabah PH’s promise to lower flight fares was misunderstood, as Sabah PH had only said that students in Peninsula Malaysia and East Malaysia would receive reasonably priced air tickets, which has since been fulfilled. – September 22, 2023