Kitingan steps down as federal deputy minister

 

Newly-minted Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan has stepped down as federal tourism, arts and culture deputy minister.

According to Sin Chew Daily, Kitingan had informed Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on his resignation today.

Kitingan, 72, was sworn in as the Sabah deputy chief minister in Kota Kinabalu this morning. His new portfolio will be agriculture and fisheries.

Technically, this is not a demotion. Unlike being a deputy minister in Putrajaya, Kitingan will be able to vote in the Sabah cabinet. 

"This is the second time I'm part of the Sabah cabinet. The first time lasted only two days," said Kitingan, according to Bernama. 

He was referring to the events immediately after the 2018 elections, which saw him joining the Musa Aman government, which lasted only 48 hours. 

He said his immediate priority now was to clear his desk in Putrajaya before focussing full time on Sabah. 

Kitingan is one of three deputy chief ministers, the others being Bung Moktar Radin and Joachim Gunsalam.

He is the president of the fledgeling Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and the party's sole MP, representing Keningau.

During the Sabah election on Saturday, he retained the Tambunan legislative assembly seat and increased his winning margin by a multiple of 6.55. - Mkini