PENAMPANG: Sabah and Sarawak should leverage their position as key components of the Malaysian federation to play a greater role in determining the direction of the federal government, said United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said the role of both Borneo states should not be viewed merely through the lens of current political developments, but in the broader context of their position as among the founding partners of Malaysia.
“Sabah and Sarawak should be part of the federal government, should be part of the governance of this country and can be the ‘kingmaker’ in deciding whether to continue this federation,” he was quoted as saying in a Sinar Harian report.
Ewon, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah, said the political strength of Sabah and Sarawak in determining the direction of the federal government, including the country’s leadership, should not be underestimated.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating at the 17th UPKO Triennial Delegates Conference at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA here on Monday.
His remarks came when he was asked about Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president Datuk Larry Sng’s view that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) would no longer be kingmakers if Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured a simple majority in the 16th General Election (GE16).
Ewon said the position of Sabah and Sarawak should instead be utilised to ensure the interests of both states remain a priority in federal administration, in line with their role in the formation of Malaysia.
“If that is the real strength of Sabah and Sarawak in determining whether the federation of Malaysia should continue or not, do not underestimate the role of Sabah and Sarawak in determining who becomes Prime Minister and who should be in the federal government,” he said.
Sng had previously argued that GPS and GRS could lose their kingmaker position if BN and PN were able to secure enough seats to form the federal government without relying on the two Borneo-based coalitions.
