JEFFREY, MADE A 'RANDAVI,' (HUGUAN SIOU)

By : RAYMOND TOMBUNG

AT THE launching of STAR in Pitas on last week, the party notched another record with its Sabah Chairman, Datuk Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, being officially made a 'Randavi' (Paramount Leader) by the party supporters in Pitas.

The organising chairman of the gathering, Maklin Masiau said that the full title is “Randavi om Gigindasan Tulun Sabah” (The Paramount Leader and Hope for the People of Sabah), which to the Tombonuo people of Pitas, has the same meaning as 'Huguan Siou.'

In his speech Jeffrey declared that the people of Sabah are ready for change because they are fed up with the current situation in the state. “As a result of a new type of colonization by Malaya we have ended being the poorest state,” he said. “And what can you expect when the Federal Government is collecting up to RM35 billion per year from Sabah and we are getting back only a tiny fraction of what we produce?”

“Our biggest losses is from oil and gas which are being taken from us. We must take control of our own resources," he said. "Even political power is being robbed from us with foreigners being given citizenship and used to keep Umno in power.

“Now after 20 years of Umno rule the people have had enough of leaders from outside controlling Sabah, and they are not happy with local leaders who are helping those leaders hold on to power.”

At the gathering which was held at Kg. Tombilidon and attended by more than 1,000 people despite the rain, the party's new anthem, “Ini kalilah!” written by the famous 'Jambatan Tamparuli' singer and composer, Justin Lusah, was launched.

At one point, one chairman of a JKKK (Village Security and Development Committee) went upstage to declare that he resigned from his post then and there to support STAR. New membership applications from 3,820 supporters in Pitas were also handed over to Jeffrey.

- Sabahkini