Jeffrey Kitingan Quits PKR this Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR 2 January - Veteran Sabah leader Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is to quit PKR this Thursday, just weeks after announcing his United Borneo Front (UBF) as his political vehicle in Malaysia’s eastern-most state.

 “Yes. When I decide to quit, I shall make an official announcement... The press conference is this Thursday,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

The former PKR vice-president also disclosed that many others will leave the party founded 12 years ago to champion Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s freedom from sodomy and corruption charges.

Kitingan is the second high-profile leader to leave PKR in as many months. Datuk Zaid Ibrahim dropped out of the party No 2 race and later resigned from PKR to join a tiny Kelantan-based party which he renamed as Parti Kita after being made president last month.

Meanwhile Saifuddin told The Malaysian Insider he has not been informed of Kitingan’s decision.
“I have not heard anything and I have not received anything,” he said.

Just last month Kitingan announced the formation of UBF as a political platform to fight for the rights of East Malaysians.

UBF’s objectives include calling for equality in power sharing and representation at the federal level.

Kitingan had tendered his resignation in December 2009 after a disagreement with then Sabah PKR chief Azmin Ali, but was withdrawn after a compromise was reached with national party leaders.

The Pensiangan PKR chief was also accused of planning to form a new party but later denied his involvement.

However last August, just when the party was preparing for internal election 12 members aligned to Kitingan were suspended for alleged involvement in the formation of Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS).

The 12 local leaders Daniel John Jambun, Awang Ahmad Sah, Moses @ Mozes Michael Iking, Nicholas James Guntobon, Paul Kerangkas, Slyvester @ Balon Mujim, Innocent Makajil, Nasir Samie, Harry Kujukok Manisit, Rubbin Guriban, Gosibin Yosundang and Guandee Kohoi submitted the application to form PCS when the state PKR faced a leadership crisis in late 2009.

However the application was withdrawn following a peace plan agreed by Kitingan and the national leadership, which saw Azmin being replaced by Ahmad Thamrin Jai as the Sabah PKR chief.