Close shop, Jeffrey tells PKR

(The Star) – PKR should close shop in Sabah as it has become a liability to the opposition front in East Malaysia, said its former vice-president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

He said PKR should face the fact that it was now in a self-destructive mode since more leaders and members are quitting because of loss of confidence in the party leadership.

He also claimed that the PKR membership in Sabah had already dropped by about 50% from 28,000 previously as people realised that the leadership was only using east Malaysians as “stooges” for their political game in the peninsula.

“PKR is not able to galvanise support here.

“Therefore it is best that it closes shop and let local opposition parties play a central role,’’ he said yesterday.

Dr Jeffrey was responding to former Sabah PKR chief Pajuddin Nordin’s decision to quit the party and join Umno on Saturday.

Dr Jeffrey quit PKR on Dec 31, 2010, soon after setting up the United Borneo Front (UBF).

In a related development, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah has stepped in to take over the state party leadership.

Dr Wan Azizah who met 21 of the 25 state division chiefs here yesterday also announced the setting up of an 11-member presidential council to take over the leadership of Sabah PKR.

“The presidential council will be a unifying factor,” she said adding that she would be naming members of the council soon.

Vice-president Tian Chua who also attended the meeting said the council would enable the party to present a more consolidated image to the people of Sabah.

“We are also confident the council will address issues that concern Sabahans while articulating our vision to the grassroot,” he added.