By G Manimaran - The Malaysian InsiderBahasa Malaysia Editor
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 — PKR has rejected Sabah strongman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s (left) decision to quit as party vice-president over a leadership tussle as de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim seeks to strengthen its footprint in East Malaysia.
Anwar is due to announce that Kitingan, the estranged brother of former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, remains as party vice-president when opening the Sarawak PKR convention this afternoon.
The Sabah leader announced his resignation two months ago and hinted at forming a new party when rebelling against another vice-president, Azmin Ali, who was made Sabah PKR chief. Anwar lated named Thamrin Jaini to head the state leadership.
"They rejected my letter. The (official) announcement will be today," Kitingan told The Malaysian Insider this morning.
It was understood that the party leadership had decided not to accept his decision together with Sabah PKR Wanita deputy chief Christina Liew to quit their post at the federal level. Christina could not be reached for her comment.
Anwar’s announcement ahead of the Sabah PKR convention next Sunday is seen as conciliatory move to Kitingan, who remains an influential leader in the state.
When asked about PKR’s move to keep him, Kitingan said that he is happy as many of his requests were accepted by the party.
On his next move, he said: "Wait for announcement first, this afternoon... will tell later."
The Keningau PKR division chief denied previous reports that he intended to form a new party.
"That (forming new party) is nothing to do with me," he stressed.
He had surprised the party when announcing last Oct 28 that he wanted to resign as vice president, further clouding the leadership turmoil in the party.
“I’m quitting the post as I’ve lost confidence in the party’s leadership decision-making process in terms of decisions affecting Sabah,” Kitingan had said.
He claimed that there appeared to be no seriousness on the part of the party leadership in taking the views of Sabah PKR leaders.
“As such, I see no reason for me to remain in the party position,” he said.
In October, he also rejected his appointment to the party’s newly set up National Integration Council. The change came about after Kitingan disclosed that 18 Sabah PKR division chiefs had signed a memorandum submitted to Anwar that Azmin be replaced with a local Sabah leader.
It was reported that Sabah PKR division leaders had suggested that Azmin be replaced as state party chief by Kitingan or either deputy chiefs, Datuk Dr Hamzah Amir or Datuk Kong Hong Ming.
Meanwhile Sabah PKR chief Thamrin Jaini when contacted declined to comment further.
“This is federal issue and let them (the federal leaders) to make a proper announcement,” he said.
“But I will be happy if Jeffrey back active (at the federal level) as he is one of the vice president. He is still one of the members of state liaison committee on his capacity as division chief,” Thamrin said.
Both Sabah and Sarawak offer 56 out of the 222 seats in Parliament and is seen as a safe vote bank or "deposit box" by the ruling Barisan Nasional federal government.
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