Dr Jeffrey Quits As PKR V-P, May Return To PBS

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has resigned as a vice-president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), and has not ruled out the possibility of rejoining Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) led by his elder brother Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

"At the moment, I will leave my options open. I will decide when the right time comes," he told Bernama here.

Dr Jeffrey was asked to comment on whether he would consider rejoining PBS, a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

He said he would consult other PKR divisional chiefs, his supporters and grassroots leaders before making a final decision on the matter.

"I'm in no rush to make decision or to decide our next course of action," he said. Dr Jeffrey had also resigned as a member of the party's supreme council and the political bureau.

Asked whether Dr Jeffrey was ready to team up with former Sabah PKR deputy chairman Christina Liew, who had also resigned as a supreme council member, to pursue their political careers, he said: "Yes, we will work together".

Dr Jeffrey's resignation is seen as having dealt a major blow to PKR's attempt to strengthen itself in Sabah.

Dr Jeffrey, who is expected to send the resignation letter to the party headquarters by today, will remain as an ordinary member of the party, according to his former aide Kanul Gindol.

It is believed that many of the division chiefs, including Dr Jeffrey himself, were disappointed with the decision of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to appoint Ahmad Thamrin Jaini as the party's new chief in Sabah.

Sabahan Ahmad Thamrin was named as the new state PKR chief last weekend after a group of division chiefs expressed no-confidence in PKR vice-president Azmin Ali leading the state PKR.

The resignation of Liew as a supreme council members is also seen as a setback for PKR. Liew, who is Kota Kinabalu division chief, announced her resignation as a supreme council member today, following in the footsteps of Dr Jeffrey.

Liew said, however, that she would remain as a party member and retain the post of Kota Kinabalu division chief.

"I will be submitting my resignation letter to the party president today," she told Bernama.

Liew said she had always believed that the party was fair and transparent, until the appointment of Datuk Kong Hong Ming as PKR Sabah deputy chairman and Ahmad Thamrin as the party's new chief in Sabah.

"My mum (mother) had to take the public humiliation of me being replaced (as deputy chairman) for unknown reasons. I worked so hard for the last nine years to promote Sabah PKR.

"Since the party has disregarded my contribution, I will bow out with dignity now," she said.

PBS secretary-general Datuk Radin Malleh said the party did not want to speculate on Dr Jeffrey rejoining it.

"We will cross the bridge when the time comes. Right now, we don't want to speculate on anything," he said when met after a meeting of the party's organising committee.

Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin, who is a Sabah deputy chief minister, said Dr Jeffrey was welcome to join the party.

"We welcome anybody who wants to join the BN. Of course, we will welcome him back to BN's side ... (because) he is not alone, he got supporters as well," he told reporters when asked if Umno would be willing to accept Dr Jeffrey should he decide to join the party.

-- BERNAMA

PKR's Shahruddin Joins The Fray

PORT DICKSON, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Telok Kemang PKR committee member Shahruddin Abd Hamid, 52, today announced that he intended to contest next month's Bagan Pinang by-election as an independent candidate.

He said he had been pressured not to do so by PKR leaders including its advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but had no qualms leaving the party in order to pursue his dream of wanting to serve the people of the state constituency.

"It's not because I want to cause a split in the votes on any side," he told reporters here.

On Tuesday, the Barisan Nasional (BN) named former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad as its candidate for the seat while PAS announced that it would be fielding state PAS commissioner Zulkefly Mohamad Omar.

The Bagan Pinang by-election is called following the death of its incumbent, Azman Mohammad Noor of the BN on Sept 4.

Nomination is on Saturday and polling on Oct 11.

-- BERNAMA