Invite to rejoin PBS a bid to cause rift, says Jeffrey

(Daily Express) – PKR Vice-President Dr Jeffrey Kitingan described the open invite to rejoin Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) by PBS Vice-President, Herbert Timbon Lagadan as an attempt to create a rift in the opposition party.

"I have my principles. I am fighting for the rakyat, not for myself," he said, adding he would only consider it if the Barisan Nasional would resolve the illegal immigrant and poverty problems, raise the oil royalty, create a Deputy Prime Ministership for Sabah or the East Malaysian states and respect the 20-Points.

"But Herbert knows very well that even though they are in BN, none of these have been resolved," he said. He invited Herbert and those in PBS to join Pakatan, instead.

Referring to his brother Datuk Seri Joseph pairin who is PBS President, he said "they (PBS) have already gone through partnership with Umno and know this arrangement won't work.

"He (Pairin) knows also that Umno rampas kuasa (grabbed power) from PBS and perpetuated the problem of illegal immigrants."

On the PKR at State level led by a peninsula member (Azmin Ali), Jeffrey said any reshuffle is normal but the Sabah side would like to have a Sabahan as a leader here. "This is only a temporary measure. We have not been put aside. I am still a Vice-President."

Meanwhile, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition alliance comprising Keadilan, DAP and PAS would meet before the year ends to discuss and thrash out pressing issues towards agreeing on an acceptable module of principles, policies and decisions in government.

Keadilan supporter Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said this would be the agenda for the inaugural National PR Convention towards the end of October or November.

"We have agreed on the basic principles and will develop and refine these until we have a module to be agreed upon by the three parties (and whoever joining us) that this will form the basis of all our policies and decisions in government.

"The framework for the module would be based on the parties' respective manifestos that were used in the 2008 March elections, and on the principles agreed upon 10 years ago in the Permatang Pauh Declaration.

"People say this is mustahil (impossible). We just have to work and believe that this is good for the country," Zaid said the former Senator and Minister of Law.

Asked how PR could ensure a level playing-field in the next election against BN's power and might, Zaid said victory could only be gained with the help of the rakyat.

"We can't do it on our own, of course. The rakyat must understand and absorb the message that we are a better alternative for them.

On money politics, he said we must not be too pessimistic as people can change. "Slowly and surely, we are getting stronger. I have no doubt that if there is a reasonably clean electoral roll, a reasonably clean election process and procedure, we (PR) will gain power in the next election."

When told that some PR leaders were not consistent and even talked about establishing ties with BN, which was confusing, Zaid said the rakyat should look at how the leaders work together in facing BN.

"It's just individuals in the party who will say this and that. We have some differences somewhere on policies and implementation but they are solved."

Answering another question, he said the book "50 Kemusykilan Against Anwar Ibrahim and the Mentri Besar for Selangor" was part of an effort to undermine Keadilan leaders.

"It must be BN, it must be Umno. Nobody else wants to put Anwar in jail or wants the Selangor Government to fall except them."