Entrepreneur Development Minister Ewon Benedick defended the "Sabah for Sabahans" slogan, stating it reflects patriotism and unity, not division. He believes Sabah-based political parties should have the freedom to develop their own political frameworks and collaborate with national coalitions, emphasizing that local aspirations must be central in negotiations. Ewon stressed the importance of addressing real issues like infrastructure and connectivity, rather than relying solely on slogans. He highlighted his commitment to working with various parties to resolve these problems, acknowledging the limited resources of elected representatives.