KUALA LUMPUR, October 13, 2026, Penampang Member of Parliament Datuk Ewon Benedick championed the Sabah First agenda during the Budget 2027 debate, highlighting Sabah’s constitutional rights, the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and the need to strengthen the state’s economic development and public well-being.
He said the RM18.7 billion allocation for Sabah must be implemented effectively to ensure its benefits reach the people, taking into account the state’s unique geographical challenges, logistical constraints and specific needs.
On Sabah’s claim to 40 per cent of its revenue, Ewon proposed increasing the interim payment from RM1.5 billion to RM3.019 billion, based on 40 per cent of the RM7.547 billion collected by the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) in Sabah in 2025.
He stressed that the payment would only serve as an interim measure and would not constitute a final settlement of Sabah’s claim. He also urged the national-level MA63 Implementation High-Level Committee to resolve five outstanding issues, including oil royalties, petroleum cash payments, the state’s rights over the continental shelf and stamp duties.
Ewon also underscored the importance of constitutional safeguards for Sabah and Sarawak, including ensuring that both states collectively hold at least one-third of the total seats in Parliament and that state consent is obtained for laws directly affecting Sabah.
To accelerate development, he proposed disbursing Sabah’s allocations in the first quarter of the year and completing procurement processes by the second quarter at the latest. He also sought clarification over the cancellation of tenders for 40 out of 65 rural road projects in Sabah.
On economic development, Ewon proposed turning the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu into a BIMP-EAGA special economic zone. He also called for expanded business guarantee schemes to help local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grow and compete in regional markets.
He further urged greater support for education, healthcare, rural entrepreneurship, Indigenous customary land rights, non-Muslim places of worship and the tourism sector ahead of Visit Sabah Year 2027.
Ewon expressed support for Budget 2027, hoping his proposals would be considered under the “Look East Policy Within the Country” approach to ensure more inclusive development that better addresses the needs of Sabah and Sarawak.
-MINUTESMY
