Leaders shouldn't panic, Anwar says when quizzed about Ewon quitting

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim believes that Upko president Ewon Benedick may have jumped the gun when deciding to quit the cabinet.

He said that Ewon knew the government had not yet decided whether to appeal the High Court ruling about Sabah's 40 percent revenue entitlement and should have carefully studied the matter first.

"As leaders, we should not panic. We have to listen, and we know Sabah's concerns.

"But we know under the Federal Constitution, there is a process that must be followed.

"So I think it was too early for him to make a decision. But I understand he may have felt pressured, because this is what they (Upko) voiced out about," Anwar told reporters in Tawau today.

He added that this is why campaigns must be fact-based, as rhetoric that serves to anger may end up being a trap.

Anwar said this when asked whether Ewon had acted rashly when he decided to quit.

The Prime Minister's Office shared a recording of the exchange.

Anwar said that the cabinet will decide tomorrow whether to proceed with an appeal, after hearing the Attorney-General's Chambers' (AGC) arguments.

The prime minister said he is personally inclined not to appeal the High Court ruling.

Sceptical

Ewon, in announcing his decision to quit on Saturday, expressed scepticism that the AGC would advise the government not to appeal.

It is not clear how Ewon's decision to quit as a minister will affect Pakatan Harapan in Sabah, given that he is the state chairperson.

Upko's supreme council will be meeting today, with Ewon indicating that the party will cooperate with parties that have a "Sabah first" agenda.

It is not clear whether this indicates that Upko will split from Harapan.

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