KOTA KINABALU: PKR is willing to discuss the United Borneo Front (UBF) agenda with Jeffrey Kitingan because it believes that he “is still on the side that is opposing Barisan Nasional”.
Said party vice-president Fuziah Salleh: “I see Jeffrey as being still on the side that is opposing BN…
“So if we can still play a complementary role, and work for a common cause… it can make us even stronger.”
On Jeffrey’s call for all parties to accept his UBF agenda, Fuziah said that so far no discussion had been initiated on the matter.
“Jeffrey is yet to speak to us on an official basis. So far it has only been through the media.
“We are open to discussion, and so are the leaders in the state.
“I think if he wants to share the agenda, we welcome it and are open to a more cordial discussion at the state leadership level,” she said.
Jeffrey left the party on Dec 31 to lead a non-political UBF and has since been meeting a cross- section of groups to promote his Borneo Agenda.
The agenda fundamentally calls for the recognition of the terms of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement to which Sabah and Sarawak were signatories.
Fuziah, who was here to meet with PKR division chiefs over the state’s leadership crisis, also denied rumours that Jeffrey’s exit had affected the party’s position in the Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) community.
“The KDM leaders are still with the party.
“The divisional chiefs are here and you can see their commitment to the party. Jeffrey may have left but I don’t think it has affected our party much.”
Real indicator
On talks that the 13th general election will be held sometime before June 2011, Fuziah said the possibilities were there based on past trends.
“But Sarawak has to carry out its state election before July. BN may choose to hold the elections together to distract PKR’s attention.
“But I think the Tenang by-election will also be a real indicator for BN. If they do well in Tenang, it will be a signal for them to call for the general election early,” she said.
On the other hand, if BN wins by a small majority, then the BN leaders may rethink about calling for early polls.
“But as far as we are concerned, we are mentally prepared and are doing everything we can to strengthen the party.”
On media reports quoting MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek’s prediction that the ruling coalition will win the 13th general election, with Sabah and Sarawak continuing to be BN’s “fixed deposit”, Fuziah said it was his opinion.
“PKR has shown its ability to be able to penetrate urban and semi-urban areas where the alternative media is also available.
“According to our assessment, there are many towns in Sabah that have access to the Internet and alternative media. I will let BN believe that it is their fixed deposits and then catch them with their pants down.
“The party has shown BN that it is capable of taking away the deposits. We did this in Sibu and Kota Kinabalu,” she said. - FMT
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