Jeffrey: I'm desperado for sake of the people
Published on: Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Kota Kinabalu: Star Sabah Chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said he is desperate only for the people of Sabah who have lost so much under half century rule of Barisan Nasional (BN).Responding to Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Radin Malleh who described Jeffrey as a "desperado", Jeffrey said Sabah's situation is very serious and if things continue the way it is the people will continue to lose their rights and place as true citizens and natives of the State."I have to do something to solve this downslide to worse socio-economic and political scenarios. And as I have always said, the Sabah BN leaders should do the right thing by supporting the Borneo Agenda," he said, in a statement, Monday.
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He said it is not his intention to be at loggerheads with Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan because "I continue to hold a lot of respect and love for him as an elder brother. But because we are on different political platforms we have to disagree on a lot of things."As to Radin's claim that if not for Pairin he wouldn't be appointed the Yayasan Sabah (YS) Executive Directorship nor nominated as an elected representative, Jeffrey said that he (Jeffrey) was appointed to the YS post by Tan Sri Harris Salleh during the Berjaya state government era, and not by Pairin.Jeffrey said he realised that the PBS leadership is trying very hard to belittle him by harping on the idea that he (Jeffrey) is just the little brother of Pairin, and that whatever he says against PBS is going against his abang (elder brother). "It is a very convenient psychological game to convince the people I will be just a little naughty boy forever. But the people will judge us for what we are fighting for and not for our positions in the family.
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"And now I am being warned about 'ousung' (afflicted with bad luck for going against an elder). But how am I going to tell the people what mistakes and injustices the ruling elites are committing without speaking the truth? "I think the greater bad luck will be for those not speaking up for the people. It would go against my conscience to pretend there is no problem like what a lot of leaders are doing," added Jeffrey.
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He said Sabahans are the poorest in the country despite its rich natural resources and people are being driven out of their lands. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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