Jeffrey Kitingan speaks up as new PKR man 
Malaysiakini
Oct  14, 2006
Tony Thien

The Barisan Nasional system has created two types of leadership, one which is arrogant and condescending and the other, of corrupt and hypocritical, subservient yes-men, an opposition politician alleged today.

Dr Jeffrey Kitingan warned that such a system, perpetuated by the BN Government which has absolute power can only produce negative effects on the country's growth and progress.

The BN feels that it can do whatever it likes under the circumstances and that it can do no wrong, the former Bingkor state assemblyperson and brother of former Sabah chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan told malaysiakini.

“Those in the BN are mostly ‘yes-men’ who are afraid to lose their positions,” he added.

Jeffrey joined PKR last Saturday in a ceremony in Tambunan which was also attended by party adviser Anwar Ibrahim.

On the so-called power-sharing system dominated by Umno and based on a particular political model, Jeffrey said it was unjust to Sabahans.

“In reality, it is a Umno government in Sabah. It is a BN government in name only because members (of BN parties) are not allowed to express their different opinions. There is no democracy in BN,” he said.

About his critics, including erstwhile party colleagues in other parties like Pairin-led Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, he said they had taken to attacking his character because they had no issue against him.

“To them, they are always right and I am always wrong, anyway,” he said, adding that there must be very good reasons why he had left them to join another party. “It is because of these leaders.”

Why I joined PKR?

Saying he was not bothered at all by attempts to character assassinate him, Jeffrey added that the state BN leaders were aware of the growing frustration and dissatisfaction with the government.

“They are certainly feeling uncomfortable in that they realise the people's feelings will spill over to the voters,” he said, adding that his job now to educate the people on what is happening with PKR as his platform.

He said he had chosen PKR because the party basically shared the same objectives as his.

“It is a KL-based party that understands and respects the rights of the Borneon states (Sarawak and Sabah). It is multi-racial, it promotes unity among Malaysians,” he said, adding that it was time to change strategy and opt for a national party rather than a state-based one.

“Furthermore, PKR is led by a strong and dynamic leader,” Jeffrey said, referring to the role played by Anwar and his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, the party president and MP for Permatang Pauh.

Jeffrey, who once held a powerful position in the state government when PBS was in power, also asserted that the long-standing problem related to the treatment of Sabah by the federal government was one important issue.

“It is time to look (at the contents) of the Malaysia Agreement, and the compliance to it (by the relevant signatories). Under the Agreement, Sabah and Sarawak are supposed to be equal partners in the federation but now, we feel like being a colony of Kuala Lumpur.”

Jeffrey also touched on what he called Sabah's insignificant involvement in the running of national affairs, pointing to the state's representation in the federal government and also the little role Sabahans played in Malaysian foreign missions.

"There is not even a single Sabahan as ambassador," he said.

"All these matters must be corrected. We feel most strongly that the true concept of a federation has to re-looked so that there is no discrimination of Sarawak and Sabah. We believe that this can be resolved quite easily," he added.

Relationship with Pairin

On the illegal immigrant issue in Sabah, Jeffrey said that PKR felt like setting up a royal commission of inquiry as a first step in resolving the issue.

"The royal commission will investigate and once we have the data, we can resolve the problems in various areas," he said, adding that latest estimates put the number of foreigners in Sabah, excluding refugees, at 1.8 million in a state with a 3.3 million population.

On his relationship with Pairin, he said: "We are family. We have a good brotherly relationship, although in politics we have different opinions."

"Sometimes in public we have to say something different. Our objectives are the same, have been for a long time. I was all behind my brother at one time to do something for the state. Our common struggle is justice for Sabahans."

On whether he will stand against his brother in Tambunan, he said: "It depends on how things turn up in the end. When a life cycle ends, people will change, and it doesn't necessarily have to be me. After all, my brother has been the representative in Tambunan for 30 years.'

On how he could help PKR in Sabah, Jeffrey said: "First, to provide good leadership, and to ensure PKR can form the next state government."

"Secondly, I can promote PKR as the platform for reuniting the badly splintered groups among the Kadazandusun-Murut community. I have started going down to meet the grassroots".

He added that many young professionals are coming forward to join the party.