Jeffrey: Only Pakatan can ensure locals head federal agencies

There is nothing to be euphoric on the appointment of a Sabahan to finally head its Immigration Department as it is too little and too late, PKR vice-president, Jeffrey Kitingan, here said today. "Of course we are happy a Sabahan in the person of Mohamad Mentek has been appointed Immigration director; however, we must help him to exercise his power to protect the sovereignty of this country," he said when commenting on the appointment, which was trumpeted by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) this week.

Jeffrey said it was not enough to have a Sabahan as federal director. More importantly, the person should share the political will of the chief minister who must exercise his autonomous power on immigration as provided for by law, he added.

"Only a PKR-led Pakatan Rakyat government can guarantee that almost all, if not all, the federal departments and agencies in Sabah and Sarawak will be headed by locals respectively. This is because PKR had agreed with the two Bornean states to 'Borneonise' federal agencies.

"Immediately, when we form the federal government, at least 30% of the federal departments here shall be headed by locals. We will gradually put locals to head virtually all departments where we have capable Sabahans and Sarawakians," he said, adding that the staff must also be locals.

Jeffrey, who also heads CigMa and Borneo Heritage Foundation, claimed that Barisan Nasional (BN) was dilly-dallying in appointing Sabahans to head federal agencies to serve their own ulterior motives at the expense of state rights and sovereignty.

"There is nothing hopeful anymore in BN, judging by the way it has mistreated Sabah and Sarawak all these 47 years of independence. In 1963 it was agreed that Sabah and Sarawak, while a partner to the federation, must remain autonomous and not be treated as one of the 11 states in then Malaya.

"This is pertinent, and I hold to this agreement points very close to my heart as this is my struggle for the people and for this country. God-willing, and if the rakyat permit, I shall lead to make sure we regain what we've lost," said the maverick Sabah leader.

courtesy of FMT