Tian Chua apologises, but for not having toppled Barisan yet

PKR vice-president makes sarcastic response after being barred over Jacel photo

SHAH ALAM: PKR vice-president Tian Chua has apologised to Sabahans – not about the Jacel Kiram photo, but for not being able yet to topple the Barisan Nasional and Umno-led government.

He said his apology did not apply to claims that he was the mastermind behind the encounter between fellow PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and Jacel Kiram of the Sulu separatist family recently.

“Before this I was denied entry to Sarawak, now it’s Sabah. I was asked by BN to apologise to the Sabahans. So I would like to apologise to all Sabahans for not being able to be with all of you in toppling the Umno-BN government,” he said in a winding-up speech at the PKR congress here today.

Chua who is MP for Batu, was barred from entering Sabah along with Nurul Izzah, MP for Lembah Pantai, after a photograph showing her and Jacel Kiram was widely distributed.

Nurul Izzah has also been asked to appear before Parliament’s rights and privileges committee.

Jacel is the daughter of the self-styled Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram, said to be the mastermind behind an armed attack on Lahad Datu two years ago.

Nurul Izzah said she had not sought a meeting with Jacel and has apologised for hurting the feelings of Sabahans.