Jeffrey not worried over bankruptcy action

Kota Kinabalu: Incumbent Bingkor Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is convinced that a bankruptcy notice issued against him will not affect his candidacy in the coming general election. The bankruptcy notice was published in the Daily Express on Tuesday, with just four days to go to nomination day on April 28. Dr Jeffrey, who is also Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Star) President, said he had asked his lawyers to take the necessary action to set aside the court action.

Party Sec-Gen. Guandee Kohoi, when contacted, also said he was convinced Dr Jeffrey's nomination as an election candidate will not be jeopardized by the bankruptcy notice.

According to the bankruptcy notice, Dr Jeffery has been given seven days from April 24 to settle RM480,408.50 to a businessman, James Lee You Cheong, in line with the Sessions Court judgement on March 9 this year.

Under election regulations, a candidate will be disqualified if adjudged to be a bankrupt, is of unsound mind or not a citizen of Malaysia.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

Dr Jeffrey is scheduled to announce Star's election candidates on Wednesday (today).

He has hinted a move from Bingkor to face his older brother, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, in Tambunan.

The state seat is held by the latter who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah president. Dr Jeffrey has also been speculated to contest in the Keningau parliamentary seat where, in the 2013 election, he lost to Pairin in a straight fight encounter.

His party is in the Gabungan Sabah pact comprising also Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP). Dr Jeffrey is the second leader in the four-party pact to have been issued with a notice of bankruptcy.

In September last year, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah President Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin also faced the same situation reportedly over a RM185,000 debt with a local bank.

He was later cleared after paying up the debt to the Insolvency Department.

He is also scheduled to release names of party candidates to contest in the general election on Wednesday (today).

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Dr Jeffrey's lawyer Tengku Fuad Ahmad said they have applied to the court to set aside the default judgement and the bankruptcy notice.

"We believe he may be using the election as a commercial leverage to recover an old debt and its unlawful," he said, adding that the debt claims were doubtful in the first place and were over 15 years old. - Nikko Fabian and Leonard Alaza

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00