Jeffrey may set up a new party

(The Star) – Sidelined Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s former vice-president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is planning to form a new party.

Aides close to Dr Jeffrey, who has submitted his resignation as vice-president last week in protest over the appointment of new Sabah PKR chief Ahmad Thamrin Jaini, said that a party was the best option as the PKR leadership had ignored the views of its members.

The aide, who declined to be named, said that they were looking at the possibility of forming Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah or Parti Pakatan Bersatu Sabah (or Borneo) to reflect the aspirations of the people in the state.

They did not discount the possibility of taking over a shell political party and changing its name if they failed to get a new one registered.

Dr Jeffrey, who is officially on leave from the party, however declined to comment on the possibility of forming a party but admitted that there has been “calls from supporters” in that direction.

“I don’t want to say anything at the moment. People keep asking me to consider it,” he said when contacted in Keningau yesterday.

However, Dr Jeffrey said there was no point for him to join any of the Sabah Barisan Nasional parties including Parti Bersatu Sabah led by elder brother Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

“They (the Sabah Barisan parties) too have failed to give a voice for the people of Sabah and Sarawak,” he claimed.

He also dismissed talks of joining local based opposition Sabah Progressive Party led by Datuk Yong Teck Lee but did not discount the possibility of SAPP becoming his ally.

Dr Jeffrey said none of the PKR leadership had contacted him over his decision to quit.

“I really have no idea what is happening there. I have said what I have to say; it is up to them now,” Dr Jeffrey said, adding that “I have to relax and think about how I would continue my political struggle for Sabah.”

His staunch supporter Kota Kinabalu PKR division chief Christina Liew has also resigned as supreme council member.