Kota Kinabalu: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (StarSabah) President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G Kitingan said the mining controversy implicating him is a calculated political conspiracy and regrets that parties like PKR are already positioning themselves to exploit the situation for political gain.
“There are people who will immediately exploit the situation. I see PKR suddenly becoming like … they think the political landscape will change, that it will shift the people from one situation to the other,” Jeffrey told reporters when met at the StarSabah 9th Anniversary Ceremony at Sabah International Convention Centre, Tuesday.
He was asked whether he believes the people will continue to support him amid the allegations of him receiving RM1.78 million linked to the controversy.
Jeffrey also claimed there are hidden hands orchestrating the controversy from behind the scenes, describing the allegations as an elaborate entrapment scheme to destroy the government.
“I can see there is this hidden hand moving around and planning all this behind the scenes.
“To me, it looks like an entrapment. I mean, why suddenly we were the last group to be suddenly involved in the scandal?” he said.
He said the timing and phased nature of the revelations point to a coordinated effort to destabilise the current State Government.
“Those who have interest in destroying the government and taking over, obviously they have something to do with that. This is not new, I mean it has been happening for many years, the same game has been played and I am no longer surprised,” he said.
He said that he had been contacted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during the initial phase of investigations together with other implicated leaders.
He was surprised when his name surfaced again in recent reports.
“Yes, I mean, the first round, everyone was called. So, we went to the MACC office to provide assistance.
“After that, we thought that’s it because after that MACC never contacted us, never sent us letters, never.
“We thought nothing to do with us. Then suddenly, the news said this. So, we were surprised.”
He also said he would lodge a police report regarding the allegations and consult with lawyers on potential legal action.
Rather than weakening his political position, Jeffrey said the controversy only strengthened his resolve and political strategy.
He acknowledged meeting the businessman at the centre of the controversy, Albert Tei, but that it was a routine business encounter.
“Because being a businessman they see everybody. That was how we came to know him,” he said.
Asked about a photo and the date the photo was taken, Jeffrey said “I was looking at the date, there was a date and it was on the same day or the next day after the parliamentary pre-council in Kuala Lumpur.”
Jeffrey said the controversy would not derail upcoming plans, including a unity convention with PBS scheduled for July 12.
Jeffrey also said StarSabah has submitted a wish list of seats for the coming election, though he acknowledged overlaps with other parties’ requests.
“If possible, we hope for as many seats. But we know that there are other parties. So, maybe 15 or something like that,” he said.
