‘Supporting the truth, even when it is unpopular, shows the capacity for honesty and integrity.’ – Steve Brunkhorst, American author
After what the man had seen and gone through in Sabah politics for over half a century, you bet he could also smell a rat from afar.
This is exactly what Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan showed when he ticked off a Sabah Umno Youth leader in the latest episode of political shenanigans in the Borneo territory.
Last Saturday, Kitingan slammed Sabah Umno Youth treasurer Naim Kurniawan Moktar for demanding that Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor must show leadership by resigning as Sabah chief minister to “pave the way for Kitingan, who possesses credibility, integrity and a positive reputation” to take over during the interim period.
In response, Kitingan said that “no one has been charged or brought to court (over the alleged bribery scandal involving some assemblymen), unlike some Umno leaders”.
“It is certainly not fair to bring my name up and create confusion, division and speculation among (the ruling coalition) Gabungan Rakyat Sabah members … or perhaps that is the name of the game?” he told Free Malaysia Today.
Yes, that was a politically correct and astute response from Kitingan. He was right not to allow politicians outside Sabah’s governing coalition to drag his name into their scheme of things.
Kitingan is president of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Deputy Chief Minister 1 of Sabah. He is also the state assemblyman for Tambunan and a Member of Parliament for Keningau.
Kitingan has come a long way to be where he is today. He is already 77 and there is no reason for him to rock the boat or be involved in any treacherous plot in order to fulfil a political ambition.
I believe Kitingan is happy and contented to be where he is today. His political journey has not been easy and certainly no bed of roses. He had faced obstacles and betrayals, fought many friends and enemies, and even a brother, to get to where he is today.
Kitingan has been called many names by his adversaries but he is certainly not a traitor. It’s true and not wrong that he has been called a political “frog” for his penchant for party-hopping throughout his political career.
But Kitingan was quick to defend himself so he switched parties in order to find the one that was suitable to fight for the rights of the people of Sabah.
By 2013, Kitingan had stopped party hopping but decided to form the Sabah chapter of the State Reform Party (STAR) of Sarawak, a party I was involved in with the late Dr Patau Rubis as founding president. I served as the first secretary-general of STAR from 1997-2002.
After Kitingan won Bingkor in the 2013 Sabah elections on the Sarawak STAR ticket, he faced an issue with the Registrar of Societies which stated that STAR was a Sarawak-based party and not permitted to field electoral candidates in another state.
Kitingan resolved the ‘problem’ in 2016 by registering Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and using “STAR” as its acronym. As a prime mover of STAR in Sarawak, I’m sentimentally proud that STAR is still very much alive and playing a prominent role in Sabah politics today, thanks to Jeffrey Kitingan.
Like Kitingan, I might not agree with Naim Kurniawan Moktar for dragging the DCM’s name into the scandal row but I can agree that Kitingan “possesses credibility, integrity and a positive reputation” today.
I have spoken up for Kitingan in several articles as a Malaysiakini columnist. His distractors can call him whatever they like but what I have found out about the Sabah DCM is that he has always been “very consistent” when he talks about the rights of Sabah within the Federation.
This man truly loves his homeland – that is something no one can take away from Jeffrey Kitingan.
In a March 2019 column, I wrote that “Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is the only MP asking a straightforward question in Parliament on MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963). Other MPs from Sarawak and Sabah never had the courage to do it the way Kitingan did.
“Call Jeffery a frog, a traitor, an opportunist or whatever you like. As far as the interests of Sabah and Sabahans are concerned, re-MA63, Jeffrey has been consistent all these years. I can’t say that for other politicians from Sabah or Sarawak. That is a fact which we must recognise.
“I am not giving credit to Jeffrey because I consider him a personal friend. I salute him again today for he has again proven that MA63 is an agenda which he never loses sight of. To him, the rights of Sabah must be returned at all costs”, I added.
Another incident that I wish to relate here is the Independence Forum organised by the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) which I lead. Kitingan was invited as a panel speaker for the event scheduled in Kuching on 11 Jan 2020.
It was at the eleventh hour that Kitingan found out that he was barred from entering Sarawak. I will spare details of the long story.
One thing I must say of Kitingan is his sincerity and commitment to his friends in NGOs like me – what he has promised, he will deliver.
Despite his physical absence, Kitingan sent two of his aides in Sabah to Kuching to attend and support the event. Kitingan also addressed the gathering via teleconferencing.
In his address, Jeffrey said that Sarawak and Sabah were being treated and exploited like colonies.
On independence for the two territories, he said: “We have journeyed and suffered together.
“At the end of the day, if we decide to exit or separate (from Malaysia), we should do it together when ready. Yes, we should do it together.”
And this is exactly what I expect a real friend of Sarawak to say.
Sarawakians and Sabahans are stronger together when facing the many new and difficult challenges ahead.
I believe this statement from Kitingan will surely resonate with many Sarawakians, including me.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
