Jeffrey invites State BN leaders to switch to Opposition camp
KOTA KINABALU:
Parti Keadilan Rakyat Vice-President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan yesterday openly invited the State Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders to become part of the country’s political “wind of change”. He said State BN leaders are now “singing the same song” calling for fairer and better treatment of Sabah by the Federal Government, adding that the time is ripe for them to make a difference. “ I’m glad that Sabah BN leaders are now singing the same song that I am singing. The issues they are raising are the same things I have - been saying all this while,” he said at a press conference at the 66 Memorial in Sembulan here yesterday. “They are all saying the same thing, that the State has been given a raw deal and that we are not getting fair treatment in the Federal Cabinet. “I urge them to continue, and not only to go on but to also create history for Malaysia and Sabah by considering also the oil situation and not just demanding for positions at Federal level. “Positions at Federal level are only one part (of the equation), it is not enough... what they need to do is be part of the wind of change. If Sabah leaders become part of the wind of change, they will be heroes,” he said. When asked if there are any and the number of BN leaders who have indicated interest in switching camp, Jeffrey admitted that there were discussions but declined to elaborate. “Yes (there is interest) in both Sabah and Sarawak. I am just trying to help them rationalise (switching camps). “Generally the trend is like that (support for the Opposition), and their minds are like that, but they have to act like that. If they don’t, then they are only in it (politics) for selfish purposes and only want position,” he said. To a question as to when they expect to see any movement from State BN leaders to switch camps as rumoured, Jeffrey gave little away, saying only that it will be akin to a domino effect. “If even just one leader moves, the rest will move. Be it because they are forced to or voluntarily, they will eventually have to move and it would be better if they decide themselves to strengthen the wind of change. “PKR is open ... Sabah is known as the Land Below The Wind and still we were hit by (typhoon) Greg, so I am confident we will be affected by the wind of change,” he said, referring to the 1997 storm that devastated Keningau and various parts of Sabah’s interior. Earlier before the press conference, Jeffrey laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial in what he said was in honour of the sacrifice and patriotism of the leaders who died in the tragic plane crash on June 6, 1976, which included the then Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens and several members of the State Cabinet. At the same function, Jeffrey also launched the controversial book “007 Lelaki Malaysia Terakhir?” by Mutalib MD, which already prompted two police reports against the author for alleged defamation. “Even before it was launched there were already two police reports against the book, but until now the police have yet to take action. However if the police want to take action, they can refer to the book because there is a lot of proof (on alleged wrong-doings) by some of our current leaders,” Jeffrey said.
