COUNT ME OUT, SAYS JEFFREY KITINGAN

By: TERENCE NETTO

DR Jeffrey Kitingan, outgoing PKR vice-president and strategic director for Sabah and Sarawak, is not interested to join any new peninsula-based political party.

“I have no intention of joining a new party that may be formed on the peninsula,” said Kitingan in an interview with Malaysiakini late yesterday on the phone from Kota Kinabalu.

Speculation began to swirl after former Federal Territories Chief, Zaid Ibrahim quit the ongoing race for PKR deputy president that Jeffrey would join Zaid should the latter form a new political party.

Jeffrey had backed Zaid for the No 2 post which was why when Zaid quit in a welter of recrimination against party supremo Anwar Ibrahim and rival candidate for deputy president, Azmin Ali, questions arose about the Sabahan leader's next move.

“I'm on leave until the end of next month. I do not intend to join or encourage the formation of a splinter party on the peninsula,” he explained.

“I keep abreast of developments but do not advise nor participate in them though I do have to listen to unsolicited advice. It's an occupational hazard. No politician worth his salt could refuse to listen. But I'm keeping my counsel,” he elaborated.

Surprised by Zaid's withdrawal

Despite garnering 40 nominations for the post of vice-president which observers felt he could win without much difficulty, Jeffrey declined to contest for a candidly stated reason: he felt power in PKR does not reside at the veep level nor in the central leadership council. Developments over the past year corroborate this judgment.

NONEJeffrey said he was surprised by the news of Zaid's withdrawal from the race for deputy president – “It leaves those who elected to support him in the lurch and I maybe wrong, but I don't think he consulted before deciding”.

Jeffrey also felt that there is no certainty Zaid would actually form a new party – “Is it confirmed that that is what he has now chosen to do?”

“Frankly, I'm not concerned, not because I'm not interested but because these developments are beyond my ability to influence. I'm more concerned with problems in Sabah where there are issues on which we must firm up the PKR position.

“These issues can be resolved but there has to be clarity and firmness in dealing with them. They are up for resolution but the window of opportunity for firming up our collective stance on them is not going to be open for too long,” concluded Jeffrey.